Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk04/2025

Task Force Composition
As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jan-25

Weekly Brief
The Russian cargo vessels Sparta and Sparta II have entered the port of Tartus after several weeks of sailing in racetrack patterns near Tartus. The arrival of both vessels took place shortly after the Syrian Transitional Government announced that it cancelled the Russian 49 year lease of the port of Tartus.
With both vessels present inside the port, it is understood that the Russian maritime evacuation from Tartus is starting though cloud cover prevented observation by satellite.

Daily Events
January 19
Satellite imagery shows the task force present at large near the port of Tartus, Syria. The vessels identified were the frigates Admiral Golovko and Admiral Grigorovich, Landing ship Ivan Gren, fleet oiler Vyazma, civilian tanker General Skobolev and the cargo vessels Sparta and Sparta II [1].

January 21
AIS signals shows cargo vessel Sparta II docked inside the port of Tartus with cargo vessel Sparta approaching the port [2].

January 23
Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus shows cargo vessels Sparta and Sparta II present in the former military dock [3].

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