Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk19/2023

Task Force Composition
As reported by OSINT at the morning of May-11


Weekly Brief
Russian activity is increasing in the Mediterranean with a possible 4th Libyan express run between Tartus and Tobruk.
Additional civilian vessels are entering the Mediterranean with the oil tanker General Skobelev heading into the Central Mediterranean and oil tanker Yaz moving out of the English Channel heading southwards towards the Strait of Gibraltar.

It remains unclear how the Russian build up of supporting vessels and deliveries fits int he larger strategic framework. The Russian Federation is struggling to maintain momentum on the Ukrainian battlefield but is actively rerouting military resources to its forces in Libya, including military material from Syria and possible fuel shipments.

Daily Events
May 04
Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus revealed the presence Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa, the frigates Marshal Shaposhnikov and Admiral Grigorovich, Buyan-M class corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo, the fleet oilers Kola and Kama, the landing vessels Alexandr Otrakovsky and Ivan Gren as well as the weapons runner Sparta IV [1].

May 07
Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus confirmed the presence of frigates Marshal Shaposhnikov and Admiral Grigorovich, Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa and fleet oiler Kola. Also present was the weapons runner Sparta IV [2].

Russian oil tanker General Skobelev is reported southwest of Sardinia and heading east towards the Central Mediterranean [3].

May 10
Oil tanker Vasily Lanovoy departed the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar and is heading towards Ust-Luga, Russia. The tanker is sanctioned by the US Government [4].

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