Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk27/2024
Task Force Composition
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 Sigonella airbase on Sicily kept track of the frigate Admiral Grigorovich and the weapons runner Ursa Major. Both vessels were located northeast of Malta during the intercept [2].