Russian Navy - News and Analysis

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Oct-19 Weekly Brief Russia's task force was observed out of port on October 16th, with the exception of the submarine Novorossiysk. The deployment of two frigates, one corvette and a supporting oiler is one of the larger ones of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean in recent months and might indicate a heightened state of alert in reaction to the ongoing instability in the Eastern Mediterranean. Daily Events October 16 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus showed only the Improved Kilo class submarine Novorossiysk to be present [ 1 ]. Russian oil tanker General Skobelev has entered the Mediterranean. Her passage at the Strait of Gibraltar was visually observed [ 2 ]. The passage took place during the evening [ 3 ]. October 18 Weapons runner Ursa Major has her AIS signal reported 45 nautical miles west of the Strait of Gibraltar [ 4 ].

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Oct-12 Weekly Brief Russia's Mediterranean task force has been reduced significantly since the departure of the Ufa, composing now of just one submarine, two frigates and a corvette. All vessels are however capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles, meaning that these vessels are able to project a limited form of military power in the region. Not much movement is reported by OSINT sources but it is clear that Russia is rotating its vessels at sea with frigate Admiral Gorshkov returning to port and frigate Admiral Grigorovich going out to sea. Corvette Merkury remained at sea after escorting the submarine Ufa towards Suez. Russia might be rotating its vessels in order to keep a permanent watch over Western naval vessels operating between Cyprus and Lebanon. Daily Events October 11 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus confirmed the presence of Improved Kilo submarine Novorossiysk, frigate Admiral Gorshkov [ 2 ] and fl...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Oct-05 Weekly Brief Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa departed the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. The departure comes a week after the arrival of the Improved Kilo class submarine Novorossiysk at Tartus. Kilo-class submarines tend to stay in the Mediterranean for a year long deployment, operating from Tartus, Syria. The Ufa departed in her tenth month since her arrival in the Mediterranean.  The departure of the Ufa limits Russian abilities to keep track of Western naval movements in the Eastern Mediterranean, especially naval deployments in the vicinity of Lebanon. The Ivan Gren class landing ship Ivan Gren was observed departing the Mediterranean. Her entry went unnoticed by OSINT sources. The Ivan Gren departed Casablanca on September 26th, meaning that she was only present in the Mediterranean for 1 to 2 days before heading out again. Daily Events September 29 Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa, Steregushchy class ...