Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk23/2023

Task Force Composition
As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jun-08

Weekly Brief
The task force is currently deploying several of its warships in the Mediterranean with the frigates Admiral Grigorovich and Marshal Shaposhnikov, as well as the submarine Ufa, deployed at sea, though the Shaposhnikov returned to Tartus by the end of the week.

There are reports that Russia is dispatching its oil tankers towards Nador, Morocco, to conduct ship to ship transfers of oils in attempts to circumvent Western sanctions. Previously, Russia operated these tankers in Greek waters. 
The news of the new transfer site coincides with visual observations of Russian vessels at Tartus. It is unclear if Russia will dispatch warships towards Morocco to safeguard the new transfer site. If it does, sustaining these operations will be difficult as Russian warships do not have a permanent base in the Western Mediterranean though a port visit to Algiers could provide for a one time replenishment of the warships as they operate in the Western Mediterranean.

Daily Events
June 03
Satellite imagery confirmed the presence of Slava class cruiser Varyag, Steregushchy class corvette Merkury and logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov at Tartus [1].

June 04
Reports indicate that Russia is sending its Black Fleet tankers toward Nador, Marocco for ship to ship transfers of Russian oil [a].

June 8
Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus revealed the presence of Slava Class cruiser Varyag, Udaloy class frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, Steregushchy class corvette Merkury, fleet oiler Kola and logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov [2].

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