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Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk13/2025

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Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Mar-29 Weekly Brief The Russian Navy appears to be reusing Tartus as a logistic base for its Mediterranean operations. Satellite imagery shows fleet oiler Vyazma present in Tartus. The fleet oiler most likely is refueling in order to support other Russian vessels operating at sea. It seems unlikely that Russia will regain full access to the naval base at Tartus at this moment but port visits and replenishment stops might be allowed as they allow for a source of revenue for the Syrian Government. Two Russian tankers were also reported recently delivering crude oil to the port of Banayas in recent days. It appears that Russia and Syria have made an agreement regarding oil and fuel deliveries. The continuation of crude oil deliveries by Russia to Syria is not a surprise. Syria needs fuel to keep its economy and society going and finds it difficult to trade with other partners while Russia is looking for buyers for its crude oil...
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Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk11/2025

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Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Mar-15 Weekly Brief A new large weapons convoy departed the Mediterranean under the escort of the Ropucha class landing vessel Alexandr Shabalin while the port of Algiers continues to serve as an important refueling hub for Russians vessels moving in and out of the Mediterranean.  Both frigates are still presumed doing escort duties in the Mediterranean though wear and tear will start to impact their performance and a port visit to give the crews some rest might take place in the near future. Daily Events March 09 Russian cargo vessel Lady Mariia, known to be a weapons runner, has been observed near the port of Algiers, Algeria [ 1 ]. March 10 The Russian cargo vessel Lady Mariia reportedly left the port of Algiers during the night [ 2 ]. March 11 The frigate Admiral Grigorovich is assumed to be in the Western Mediterranean [ 2 ]. March 12 The Russian cargo vessels Sparta IV, Siyanie Severa and Ascalon, all three escorte...
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Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk09/2025

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Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Mar-01 Weekly Brief The Russian task force is split across the Mediterranean, focused on securing the evacuation of military equipment from Tartus, Syria. Clear roles are now established with the frigate Admiral Golovko performing escort duties for loaded vessels from Tartus towards the Strait of Gibraltar. Frigate Admiral Grigorovich is patrolling near Tartus, securing the maritime area and being on stand-by to provide assistance to the Russian forces still present in Syria. Daily Events February 25 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus revealed the presence of the cargo vessel Sparta IV inside the harbor and the frigate Admiral Grigorovich operating nearby the port [ 1 ]. February 26 Satellite imagery of the Alboran Sea shows what could be the frigate Admiral Golovko on an eastern course. The frigate might have escorted the cargo vessel Baltic Leader towards the Strait of Gibraltar [ 2 ]. Spanish patrol vessel Audaz rele...
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Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk08/2025

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Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Feb-22 Weekly Brief Russia's withdrawal from the Syrian port of Tartus continues though at a more slow and stable pace. Weapon runner Sparta IV and Ropucha class landing vessel Alexandr Shabalin were observed loading military equipment at the port of Tartus. At the same time, the cargo vessel Baltic Leader made its way towards the Strait of Gibraltar though the vessel made use of the port of Algiers for refueling. It appears that the port of Algiers will now play a critical part in sustaining Russia's presence and operations in the Mediterranean by providing replenishment of fuel and supplies during port visists.  Daily Events February 17 Ropucha class landing vessel Alxandr Shabalin is observed in the port of Tartus, probably loading Russian military equipment [ 1 ]. February 20 Russian cargo vessel Baltic Leader departed Algiers after a port visit for refueling [ 2 ]. Frigate Admiral Grigovorvich was observed on sa...
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Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk07/2025

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Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Feb-15 Weekly Brief The evacuation of military equipment from Syria continues with the first large convoy composed of two amphibious warships and two civilian cargo vessels departing the Mediterranean on February 9th. A second transport run, composing of just the cargo vessel Baltic Leader, is also observed on February 14th, heading westwards after docking in Tartus. The vessel is probably escorted by a Russian frigate to prevent interception. At the same time, Russia attempts to maintain an Improved Kilo class submarine in the Mediterranean. The submarine Krasnodar entered the Mediterranean on February 14th. Just how long the submarine can operate without a Russian base remains to be seen though several port visits could help in keeping the vessel supplied and operational for longer than is expected. Daily Events February 09 Russian weapon runners Sparta and Sparta II, together with the civilian tanker General Skobelev and ...
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Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk06/2025

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Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Feb-08 Weekly Brief Over the week, the Russian task force is slowly exiting the Mediterranean with a convoy moving from the area east of Malta towards the Strait of Gibraltar. The convoy is centered around the civilian cargo vessels Sparta and Sparta II, both of them presumed to be transporting military equipment from Syria back towards Russia.  Escorting this convoy are the frigates Admiral Golovko and Admiral Grigorovich. Also present is the Ropucha class landing vessel Alexandr Otrakovsky. It unclear if this vessel is transporting military equipment as well as OSINT sources did not report her docking in Tartus, Syria. Civilian oiler General Skobolev is also present. The role of this oiler is not clear but the vessel could serve as a possible storage of fuel to keep the Russian fleet oilers Vyazma and Yelnya topped up, though Yelnya has been lingering near Bani Safi, Algeria, for the past weeks, serving as a refueling ...
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Russian forces in the Mediterranean - Wk05/2025

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Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Feb-01 Weekly Brief Weapon runners Sparta and Sparta II have been observed departing Tartus, Syria, and are heading westwards towards the Central Mediterranean. These vessels are escorted by the majority of the Russian Mediterranean Task Force though it is unclear if these vessels are setting course to the Strait of Gibraltar or heading towards Libya. Daily Events January 29 The majority of the task force was observed in a positions 208km southeast of Crete and on a western course while escorting the weapons runner Sparta and Sparta II. The identified vessels were the frigates Admiral Golovko and Admiral Grigorovich, Ropucha class landing vessel Alexandr Otrakovsky, Ivan Gren class landing vessel Ivan Gren, Kaliningradneft oiler Vyazma as well as the civilian oiler General Skobalev [ 1 ].
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