Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk16/2025

Task Force Composition
As reported by OSINT at the morning of Apr-12

Weekly Brief
The Russian task force is being reduced to one frigate operating in the Mediterranean following the departure of the Admiral Golovko. At this point, the Russian forces in the Mediterranean are more evolving to an intelligence gathering and monitoring force, rather then a real combat task force.

The mean elements are currently the intelligence collection vessel Viktor Leonov which refueled in Algiers on April 17th and is ready to keep track of NATO task forces.
A second element is the submarine Krasnodar which most likely kept track of the Italian led naval exercise Mare Aperto 2025 where it was detected and tracked by a Spanish frigate. Her supporting escort tug was last reported near Sardinia, possibly on station to resupply and refuel the submarine.

Daily Events
April 14
Frigate Admiral Grigorovich probably departed the area near the port of Tartus, Syria link.

Vishnya class intelligence collection vessel Viktor Leonov entered the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar link.

NATO maritime command reports that the Spanish frigate ESPS Álvaro de Bazán tracked a submarine of interest. The NATO flotilla currently operates in Italian waters, supporting the Italian led naval exercise Mare Aperto 2025 link.

April 16
Russian navy tug Evgniy Churov was reported on the southeastern side of Sardinia, Italy. The vessel was in this position for over 12 hours. It is unclear if the vessel was sheltering for bad weather in the Western Mediterranean or supporting the Kilo submarine Kransnodar link.

Vishnya class intelligence collection vessel Viktor Leonov arrived in the port of Algiers, Algeria link.

April 17
Vishnya class intelligence collection vessel Viktor Leonov was fueled in the port of Algiers, Algeria, by the Algerian flagged oiler El Goufi link.

Russian weapons runner Sparta IV was reported 14 nautical miles southwest of Gibraltar and heading towards the mediterranean link.

April 18
Frigate Admiral Golovko was visually observed departing the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar around 1900 local time link.

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