Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk35/2023

Task Force Composition

As reported by OSINT at the morning of Sep-02


Weekly Brief

A possible rotation of forces might have been initiated during this week. The passage of Steregushchy class corvette Merkury went unnoticed by OSINT means but the corvette was later reported present inside the port of Algiers for a three-day port visit. The vessel was traveling solo without an oiler, so the port visit at Algiers might have been needed for refueling and resupply.

At the same time, the fleet oiler Vyazma and frigate Admiral Gorshkov have been missing from Tartus for over a week. These vessels are either shadowing the US Carrier Task Group operating in the Eastern Mediterranean or heading back to their homeport after completing their deployment in the Mediterranean.

At the same time, the minehunter Vladimir Emelyanov and the logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov have been steadily heading towards the Western Mediterranean. It is unclear if these vessels were to make a rendez-vous with the corvette Merkury or heading back towards the Baltic Fleet.
The Vladimir Emelyanov has been present in the Mediterranean since January 2022 and might be in need for maintenance. With the Turkish Straits closed, this maintenance will have to be done at the Baltic Fleet naval yards.

At the same time, the Amur class repair vessel PM-82 arrived into the Mediterranean. The vessel brings additional repair and maintenance capabilities to the task force.

Daily Events

August 26
Fleet oiler Yelnya is reported south of Cyprus, heading southeast at a speed between 6 to 10 knots [1].

Logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov is reported southwest of Cyprus and heading westwards in the direction of Crete [2]. 

Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus revealed the presence of the Improved Kilo class Krasnodar, the Buyan-M class corvette Orekovo-Zuyevo and the rescue tug Sergei Balk [3].

Fleet oiler Vyazma departed Tartus in a western course towards the southern end of Cyprus [4].

August 27
Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus revealed the presence the Buyan-M class corvette Orekovo-Zuyevo and the rescue tug Sergei Balk [3]. Kilo class submarine Krasnodar could not be observed due to cloud cover over her mooring site.

Logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov and Alexandrit class minehunter Vladmir Emeyanov are reported sailing in formation at a location 74 km southeast of Kymo, Greece. Both vessels are heading westwards towards the Central Mediterranean [5].

Steregushchy class corvette Merkury arrived in the port of Algiers [6] as part of the bilateral military cooperation program. The port visit will last until August 29 [7].

August 29
Logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov is reported east of Malta and southeast of Syracuse and heading in a western direction. The vessel was observed by an USN Boeing P-8A from Sigonella during the afternoon [8].

Steregushchy class corvette Merkury departed the port of Algiers [7].

Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus revealed several vessels being moored inside the port. These vessels were identified as the Improved Kilo class submarine Krasnodar, the Buyan-M class corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo, the fleet oiler Yelnya and the rescue tug Sergey Balk [9].

August 30
Fleet oiler Yelnya departed the port of Tartus and headed westwards [10]. The vessel was reported at the position 34.5N 34.0E with a speed of 6 to 10 knots [11].

August 31
Intelligence collection vessel Kildin and fleet oiler Yelnya allegedly conducted a replenishment at sea in the Gulf of Antalya [10].

Amur class repair vessel PM-82 has entered the Mediterranean by passing through the Strait of Gibraltar [12].


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