Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk29/2024

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 port of Tartus and is heading towards Kaliningrad [2].

July 17
Slava class cruiser Varyag and Udaloy class frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov departed the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal [3]. Both vessels were visually observed by satellite imagery as they headed south in the canal [4].

July 18
Weapons runner Ursa Major is reported south of Greece heading westwards towards the Strait of Gibraltar. The vessel is reportedly escorted by the Steregushchy class corvette Merkury [5].

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