Russian Navy - News and Analysis

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jul-27 Weekly Brief The arrival of the frigate Admiral Gorshkov in the Mediterranean, possibly equipped with Kalibr and Tsirkon cruise missiles, provides additional maritime power projection to the Russian Task Force which was lost with the departure of the Marshal Shaposhnikov.  Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa still remains in Tartus and did not depart together with the other vessels of the Pacific Fleet. This behavior is in line with previous submarine deployments where the Kilo class tends to stay at Tartus for a year long. The Ufa is currently halfway this time period and will probably depart the Mediterranean by the end of the year or beginning of next year. Daily Events July 20 Satellite imagery confirmed the presence at Tartus of Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa, frigate Admiral Grigorovich, Altay class oiler Kola and logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paramov [ 1 ]. July 23 Satellite imagery of the port of T...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jul-20 Weekly Brief A significant reduction in maritime power took place by the end of the week with the departure of the Slava class cruiser Varyag and Udaloy class frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov. Both vessels were visually observed passing through the Suez Canal and heading towards the Red Sea, most likely returning back to Vladivostok. Weapons runner Ursa Major departed Tartus as well and is being escorted by Steregushchy class corvette Merkury. The Ursa Major appears to be doing a Syrian Express run, transferring weapons and military equipment between Tartus and Saint Petersburg. Daily Events July 13 Satellite imagery confirms the presence of Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa, Slava class cruiser Varyag, Grigorovich class frigate Admiral Grigorovich, fleet oiler Kola, logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov and rescue tug Alatau at the port of Tartus [ 1 ]. July 15 Weapons runner Ursa Major reportedly departed the por...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jul-13 Weekly Brief Weapons runner Ursa Major arrived in the port of Tartus, Syria where the vessel allegedly unloaded containers. It is unclear what the content of the containers are but the vessel could probably have delivered supplies to the Russian forces operating in Syria. It remains to be seen if the Ursa Major will embark weapons and munitions and if she will return to Saint Petersburg or make a Libyan Express run. There appear no signs at the moment that the Pacific Fleet warships are leaving the Mediterranean on short notice. A possible new reinforcement from the Baltic Fleet, made up of the frigate Neustrashimy and an escorting oiler, might be heading towards the Mediterranean. Daily Events July 08 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus confirmed the presence of Slava class cruiser Varyag, frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, Altay class fleet oiler Kola and rescue tug Alatau were confirmed being in port [ 1 ]. July 09 ...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jul-06 Weekly Brief Russian weapons runner Ursa Major returned to the Mediterranean and is being taken under escort by the frigate Admiral Grigorovich. Both vessels were last observed in the Central Mediterranean as they past Malta and Sicily. It is unclear where the Ursa Major will head. Previously, the vessel operated between the Baltic and Tartus, Syria. However, in April, Russia used amphibious vessels to transport weapons to Wagner units operating in eastern Libya. In the next days, it will become clear where the Ursa Major will dock and if it will pick up weapons or deliver them. Daily Events July 04 Frigate Admiral Grigorovich is reported to be in the Central Mediterranean en route to intercept the Russian weapons runner Ursa Major. The Ursa Major was located of Algiers, Algeria heading westwards. Both vessels might meet near the Sicilian Channel [ 1 ]. July 05 An Italian P-72A surveillance aircraft operating from...