Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk49/2023

Task Force Composition

As reported by OSINT at the morning of Dec-09

Weekly Brief
The Russian Navy strengthens its ties with Algeria by taking part in a joint naval exercise focuses on search and rescue operations. This would be the first time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine that vessels of the Mediterranean task force took part in a joint naval exercise instead of deterring NATO warships in the eastern Mediterranean.

Buyan-M class corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo has once again departed at sea, most likely in response to Western warships operating in the Eastern Mediterranean. The vessel is escorted by the Amur class repair vessel PM-82 which provides logistic support.

Meanwhile, a task force composed of the Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa, the fleet oiler Kama and the rescue tug Sergey Balk has been making its way towards the Mediterranean. The submarine is intended for the Pacific Fleet and will pass the Mediterranean during her interfleet transit. All three vessels are located at the northern part of the English Channel on December 9nd during the morning. 

Daily Events
December 04
Frigate Admiral Grigorovich arrived in the port of Algiers, Algeria. The vessel will remain in Algeria for eight days and take part in a joint military exercise [1].

December 05
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirms the presence of the Admiral Grigorovich in Algiers as well as the creation of a joint naval headquarter to facilitate the Russo-Algerian naval exercise [2].

December 06
Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus revealed the presence of the fleet oiler Yelnya and possibly the corvette Merkury at anchor at the anchorage outside the harbor. The remainder of the task force was not observed in Tartus [3].

Frigate Admiral Grigorovich started a joint maritime exercise together with the Algerian Navy [4]

December 07
Frigate Admiral Grigorovich is involved in a joint maritime exercise together with the Algerian Navy [4]

Popular posts from this blog

Russian Naval deployments during the Ukraine War

Image
March 17, 2022 At least six Russian warships were observed near Odessa. The warships maintained their distance and operated on the horizon. March 16, 2022 Several vessels entered the port of Sevastopol including the patrol vessel Vasily Bykov. The Bykov was rumored to be struck and sunk by a Ukrainian grad MLRS barrage near Odessa on March 07 dough this was never officially confirmed.  The visual confirmation of the vessel entering the port of Sevastopol undamaged indicates that if an MLRS attack took place, it did not struck the Bykov. Ropucha class landing vessel Kondopoga of the northern fleet allegedly also entered the port of Sevastopol. March 15, 2022 Several Russian warships and landing ships were spotted on commercial satellite imagery during the morning hours. The vessels were heading in the direction of Odessa.  The vessel leading the formation of landing ships appears to be minesweeper with her sweeping array deployed. During the evening, around 90 missiles were reported fir
Read more

Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk42/2023

Image
Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Oct-21 Weekly Brief The task force continues to operate at sea with its maximum capacity it can deploy. Both corvettes are most likely covering the US naval deployments of the Gerald R. Ford carrier task force with fleet oiler Yelnya regularly sailing out of Tartus to refuel the vessels at sea. Daily Events October 14 Improved Kilo class submarine Krasnodar and the rescue tug Sergey Balk were visually observed passing through the Strait of Gibraltar and exiting the Mediterranean [ 1 ]. October 17 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus only showed the fleet oiler Yelnya present inside the harbor [ 2 ]. October 18 A radio signal belonging to the fleet oiler Yelnya was intercepted, placing the vessel in a position of 34.9° North, 35,8° East; just outside the port of Tartus [ 3 ].
Read more

Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk41/2023

Image
Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Oct-14 Weekly Brief The Russian task force has been responding to the new situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the arrival of a US Navy carrier task force in the region. AGI vessel Kildin is keeping track of the carrier movements. At the same time, both corvettes departed Tartus, support by the Amur class repair vessel PM-82. Both corvettes most likely form a counterbalance to the US Navy presence and project power is support of local allies though the projected combat power falls far short of the deployed US maritime power in this region. Improved Kilo class submarine Krasnodar has been steadily heading towards the Strait of Gibraltar, escorted by rescue tug Sergey Balk. Both vessels will most likely transit on October 14th during the night to prevent visual observation. Daily Events October 09 Fleet oiler Yelnya replenished the Momo class intelligence collection vessel Kildin in a postion halfway Crete and Mersa Matr
Read more