Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk51/2024

Task Force Composition
As reported by OSINT at the morning of Dec-21

Weekly Brief
Overal Status: The Russian task force remains in place of the Syrian Coast near the port of Tartus, largely staying out of the territorial waters of Syria. It appears that the task force remains in place to cover the Russian withdrawal from the region. At the same time, military equipment and vehicles are accumulating in Tartus in anticipation of a seaborn evacuation.

Departure Admiral Gorshkov: The frigate Admiral Gorshkov departed the Mediterranean, completing her regular deployment in the Mediterranean. The vessel was escorted by the fleet oiler Yelnya past Oran. Most likely the frigate took on fuel before passing the Strait of Gibraltar and returning back to the Northern Fleet. Fleet oiler Yelnya subsequently docked in Algiers for a port visit, most likely taking on more fuel to sustain future operations in the Mediterranean.

Syrian Express: More and more vessels appear to be converting to evacuate the Russian military equipment from Tartus. Ropucha class landing vessel Alexandr Shabalin already entered the Mediterranean. It is assumed that the vessel is loaded and carrying a port security detachment. If true, it remains to be seen where this detachment will be deployed. It is possible that the detachment will be landed on the new location for the Russian Task Force or serves as a rear guard to secure the port of Tartus, though Russia has enough forces in place at the moment to secure the port.
Weapons runners Ursa Major and Sparta have completed their passage in the English Channel and are expected to enter the Mediterranean shortly.
Vessels Nikolai Leonov and Mekhanik Makarin are also heading to the Mediterranean from the Black sea. Nikolai Leonov has her destination listed as El Dekheila, Egypt, while Mekhanik Makarin allegedly heads to Famagusta, Cyprus. Both vessels could change their destination to Tartus at the last moment.

Daily Events
December 14
Fleet oiler Yelnya is reported in a position 50 Nm west of Oran. The vessel is heading in a eastern direction towards the Strait of Gibraltar [1].

December 15
Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus revealed the presence of the frigates Admiral Golovko and Admiral Grigorovich [2].

December 16
Frigate Admiral Gorshkov reportedly passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the Atlantic Ocean [3].

December 17
Satellite imagery shows the task force concentrated near the port of Tartus at distances between 20 to 22km from the port. The identified vessels were frigates Admiral Golvko and Admiral Grigorovich, Improved Kilo class submarine Novorossiysk, the fleet oiler Vyazma and Mom class intelligence collection vessel Kildin [4].

Fleet oiler Yenya arrived in Algiers for a three day port visit [5].

Ropuch class landing ship Alexandr Shabalin entered the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar [6].

December 19
Frigate Admiral Grigorovich reportedly took on fuel from the fleet oiler Vyazma. The refueling took place at sea in the Syrian Channel and was conducted from astern [7].

December 20
Frigate Admiral Grigorovich was observed on satellite imagery in a location around 6 kilometers west of the Port of Tartus [8].

Fleet oiler Yenya most likely departed Algiers after a three day port visit [5].

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