Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk17/2025

Task Force Composition
As reported by OSINT at the morning of Apr-28

Weekly Brief
The Improved Kilo class submarine Krasnodar departed the Mediterranean at the end of the week. Without a dedicated supply base, deployment of Kilo Class submarines is drastically shortened from 6 months to a mere 10 weeks or roughly 1/3rd if what the deployment time was when the submarines could use Tartus.

A rotation of forces is probable with the arrival of the Steregushchy class corvette Soobrazitelny arriving in Mediterranean. Her arrival could result in the frigate Admiral Grigorovich being recalled to the Baltic Sea for maintenance. This frigate has been at sea almost interrupted since December 2024 when the Russian forces were no longer allowed to stay in Syria.

Daily Events
April 20
Russian cargo vessel Maia-1 entered the Mediterranean at 16:30 via the Strait of Gibraltar link.

Kilo class submarine Krasnodar and its escorting tug Evgeny Churov have arrived in the port of Algiers, Algeria link.

April 24
Fleet oiler Kola allegedly passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the Mediterranean link. The Steregushchy class corvette Soobrazitelny was also visually observed entering the Mediterranean link.

April 25
Russian fleet tanker Kola is reported Tofino Bank off Morocco and might be engaged in refueling operations link.

April 26
Russian weapons runner Sparta IV has entered the port of Tartus, Syria link.

Improved Kilo class submarine Krasnodar and its escorting tug Evgeny Churov are reported in the Alboran Sea link. Both vessels probably refueled from fleet oiler Kola near Al Hoceima during the afternoon link.

April 27
Improved Kilo class submarine Krasnodar and its escorting tug Evgeny Churov were visually observed departing the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar link.

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