Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk49/2024

Task Force Composition
As reported by OSINT at the morning of Dec-07


Weekly Brief
The Russian Mediterranean Task Force appears to have made a demonstration in force before the departure of the frigate Admiral Gorshkov to her homeport. On December 2nd and 3rd, the entire task force departed the port of Tartus for a large scale naval exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean. The exercise was supported by coastal defense batteries and naval aviation and focused on coastal defense and surface warfare.
Given the involvement of several services and the availability of a dedicated simulated surface target, it appears that this exercise was planned and coordinated in advance. This contradicts the general narrative of Week 49 where it was stated that the Russian task force was evacuating the port of Tartus given the fast advance of Syrian rebels in Northern Syria.
The behavior of the Russian task force corresponds with previous observed patterns during moments of crisis in the region. The Russian task force is known to sail out in force and hold a large scale exercise to demonstrate military force and/or political resolve in the region. These demonstrations are almost always intendent for Western audiences as a reminder not to ignore Russian interests in the region.
In this case, the exercise might be aimed to send the message not to provide additional support to the Syrian rebels. Given the nature of the conflict in Syria, a naval demonstration makes little sense if the message was aimed against the rebels as they operate exclusively on land and do not have a coastal area under their control. The rebels are also unable to threaten Latakia province from the seaside.

By December 6th, the majority of the task force returned to port at Tartus. The exception being the frigate Admiral Gorshkov and fleet oiler Yelnya. Both vessels are likely heading out of the Mediterranean and returning back to their homebase in the Northern Fleet. Both vessels have been operating in the Mediterranean for several months and are now relieved by the frigate Admiral Golovko.


Daily Events
December 02
Fleet oiler Yelnya reportedly departed the port of Tartus during the morning [1].

December 03
Satellite imagery shows that the entire Russian Mediterranean Task Force departed the port of Tartus [2].

The Russian Ministry of Defense released a video showing a large scale naval exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean. The exercise involves at least the frigates Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Golovko escorted by raptor patrol boats. Also involved in the exercise were coastal batteries and naval aviation. The exercise involved the launch of a possible Tsirkon hypersonic anti-ship missile followed by the launch of at least two Bastion anti-ship missiles. The target appeared to be a barge with containers stacked to resemble a warship [3].

December 06
Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus revealed the pressence of Improved Kilo class submarine Novorossiysk, the frigates Admiral Golovko and Admiral Grigorovich and the fleet oiler Vyazma [4].

Popular posts from this blog

The Russian Navy and the fall of Tartus

With the fall of the Al-Assad regime in Syria, the Syrian rebels allegedly gave Russia 48 hours to vacate their military presence in the naval base at Tartus and the Khmeimim airbase. It seems unlikely that Russia can broker a diplomatic deal to remain present in Tartus. It is expected that Russia will have to vacate its naval presence somewhere at the beginning of week 50. As such, the Russian Navy will now have to look what options, if any, it has to maintain some sort of maritime presence in the Mediterranean. Why Tartus mattered The geographic location of Tartus made it an important strategic position for Russia. Located at the very end of the Eastern Mediterranean it was in a region where NATO/western maritime presence was limited compared to the Western and Central parts of the Mediterranean. The closest maritime base of importance for NATO is located at Souda Bay, Crete, which is located at the transition from Central to Eastern Mediterranean. Operating from Tartus meant tha...
Read more

Russian Naval deployments during the Ukraine War

Image
March 17, 2022 At least six Russian warships were observed near Odessa. The warships maintained their distance and operated on the horizon. March 16, 2022 Several vessels entered the port of Sevastopol including the patrol vessel Vasily Bykov. The Bykov was rumored to be struck and sunk by a Ukrainian grad MLRS barrage near Odessa on March 07 dough this was never officially confirmed.  The visual confirmation of the vessel entering the port of Sevastopol undamaged indicates that if an MLRS attack took place, it did not struck the Bykov. Ropucha class landing vessel Kondopoga of the northern fleet allegedly also entered the port of Sevastopol. March 15, 2022 Several Russian warships and landing ships were spotted on commercial satellite imagery during the morning hours. The vessels were heading in the direction of Odessa.  The vessel leading the formation of landing ships appears to be minesweeper with her sweeping array deployed. During the evening, around 90 missiles were rep...
Read more

Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk48/2024

Image
Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Nov-27 Weekly Brief A new intelligence collection vessel, the Yantar, has entered the Mediterranean. Since the vessel operates without an escort, a refueling stop at Algiers was expected in order for the vessel to reach the Eastern Mediterranean. The vessel is designed as an oceanographic vessel meaning that she is specialized in mapping the undersea environment. Russia uses these vessels to locate and map underwater infrastructure such as data cables. Over the next months, the Yantar will be operating in the Central and Eastern Mediterranean. Daily Events November 25 Intelligence collection vessel Yantar passed the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the Mediterranean [ 1 ]. November 26 Sanctioned Russian cargo vessel Lady Mariia passed the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the Atlantic Ocean. The vessel is known for transporting weapons and military equipment [ 2 ]. November 27 The intelligence collection vessel Yantar reportedl...
Read more