Russian Navy - News and Analysis

  Daily Events May 29 Frigate Admiral Grigorovich was observed on satellite imagery while anchored near the Syrian port of Tartus link .

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of May-12 Weekly Brief The Russian Navy appears to have established a refueling point northwest of Al Hoceima, Morocco in order to support out of area operations by the Russian Navy. Steregushchy class corvette Boiky made use of this refueling point on May 12th to refuel before heading back to the Atlantic Ocean and heading south along the African coast, while escorting two Russian merchant vessels. The arrival of the sea going tug Evgeniy Churov might indicate a new submarine deployment in the Mediterranean. Previously, this tug supported the Improved Kilo class submarine Krasnodar during her deployment in the Western Mediterranean. Daily Events May 12 Russian Steregushchy class corvette Boiky and Russian cargo vessels Siyanie Severa and Patria entered the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar during the morning hours link . The vessels then proceeded to an area northwest of Al Hoceima, Morocco where the corvette Boiky...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of May-05 Weekly Brief OSINT sources report minimal naval activity in the Mediterranean. It appears that Russia is still in the process of evacuating military equipment from Syria as a new weapons runner, the Ascalon, was observed entering the Mediterranean.  Frigate Admiral Grigorovich remains on station close to the port of Tartus. The frigate has been at sea since December with almost no port visits. Daily Events April 29 Russian RoRo vessel Ascalon was observed passing through the Strait of Gibraltar and entering the Mediterranean link . May 4 Frigate Admiral Grigorovich was observed via satellite imagery in a position about 17 kilometers northwest of Tartus, Syria link .

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 lin...

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 ves...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Apr-12 Weekly Brief Russian forces appear to be hard pressed in the Eastern Mediterranean from a logistics point of view. The two remaining frigates now rely on neutral port visits and a supporting rescue tug for refueling operations to extend their operational stay in the Mediterranean. The presence of the rescue tug Evgniy Churov south of Crete might suggest that the submarine Krasnodar is also in this area. Daily Events April 5 Frigate Admiral Golovko and fleet oiler Vyazma visited the port of Alexandria, Egypt  link . April 9 Frigate Admiral Grigorovich and navy tug Evgniy Churov were observed in a refueling at sea operation south of Crete  link .

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Apr-05 Weekly Brief Another drawdown of military forces took place during the week with the intelligence collection vessel Kildin departing the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar. The RFS Kildin was observed escorting two Russian maritime vessels, presumed to be Lady D and Bering. Both cargo vessels could be carrying military equipment from Tartus towards Saint Petersburg. Fleet oiler Vyazma was observed at Alexandria, Egypt during the morning of April 5th. The vessel most likely conducted a resupply stop. Her arrival at Alexandria comes a week after she was observed at Tartus, indicating that she probably refueled the two Russian frigates left operating in the Eastern Mediterranean.  Daily Events April 4 Moma class intelligence collection vessel Kildin departed the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar [ 1 ]. The vessel was escorting the Russian merchant vessels Lady D and Bering [ 2 ]. April 5 The AIS signal...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ].

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 a...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jan-18 Weekly Brief The Russian Task Force remains in a holding pattern of the port of Tartus, Syria, awaiting permission to enter the port and starting the evacuation. Cargo vessels Sparta and Sparta II spend their time sailing racetrack patterns near Tartus. The question is how long the Russians can maintain their presence of Tartus. The Ropucha class landing vessel Alexander Otrakovsky allegedly suffers technical breakdowns with a a broken water desalination system and two leaking fuel tanks. So far, the vessel has not been observed docked within Tartus for the necessary repairs, raising questions on how much longer the vessel can remain at sea with limited fuel and drinking water. The fleet oilers are currently the only means of keeping the Russian vessels supplied with refueling operations observed on January 14th. Oceanographic research vessel Yantar departed the Mediterranean after an observation of the wreckage s...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jan-11 Weekly Brief Russia's maritime composure in the Mediterranean remained largely unchanged during this week with the task force operating outside the Syrian territorial waters of Tartus, Syria. The Russian cargo vessel Sparta remains in a racetrack outside Tartus, awaiting permission by the new Syrian government to enter the port and start withdrawing military equipment. Ropucha class landing vessel Alxandr Shabalin departed the Mediterranean after a weapons transfer with Algeria. It is unclear if Russia delivered or picked up weapons at Oran. Daily Events January 05 Satellite imagery of the area near Tartus, Syria, revealed the presence of the frigates Admiral Golovko and Admiral Grigorovich as well as weapons runner Sparta [ 1 ]. January 06 Ropucha class landing vessel Alxandr Shabalin is reported of the coast of Portugal [ 2 ]. Russia weapons carrier Lady Mariia passed the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the Atla...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jan-04 Weekly Brief Russia no longer operates submarines in the Mediterranean as its sole submarine, the Improved Kilo class submarine Novorossiysk, departed the Mediterranean on January 2nd. The vessel was escorted by the fleet oiler Yelnya all the way until Bou Zadjar, Algeria. The Yelnya most likely refueled the submarine prior to its departure, ensuring that the vessel will be able to reach the Baltic Sea and rejoin the Baltic Fleet. Additional Russian cargo vessels keep entering the Mediterranean, possibly for a maritime evacuation of Tartus. Russian research vessel Yantar concluded a port visit in Alexandria, Egypt. Daily Events December 31 Russian ocean going tugboat Titan passed the Strait of Gibraltar and headed into the Mediterranean. The vessel is heading towards Suez [ 1 ]. January 01 Improved Kilo class submarine Novorossiysk was observed near the Algerian coast as it headed towards the Strait of Gibraltar [ 2 ]...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Dec-28 Weekly Brief The weapons runner Ursa Major sank this week near the Strait of Gibraltar as a result of an explosion in the engine room. The vessel was rumored to be used for a maritime evacuation but analysis of the cargo reveals that it was indeed heading towards Vladivostok. The vessel transported two 45ton hatches to be used for the construction of a nuclear powered icebreaker as well as two cranes to be used in the port of Vladivostok. The reason of the explosion is unknown. Additional vessels associated with a possible maritime evacuation have been reported entering the Mediterranean. These vessels are the Ivan Grenn and the Aleksandr Otrakovskiy. They entered via the Strait of Gibraltar together with the weapons runner Sparta. Daily Events December 22 Ivan Grenn class amphibious landing vessel Ivan Grenn and Ropucha class landing vessel Aleksandr Otrakovskiy have entered the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gi...

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 evacu...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Dec-14 Weekly Brief The Russian Mediterranean Task Force spend the past week in a holding pattern near the Syrian territorial waters at Tartus. This holding pattern confirms rumors at the beginning of the week that the Russians were negotiating with the Syrian Rebels to continue a Russian military presence in Latakia province. However, as of the second half of the week, there are signs that these negotiations have failed and that Russia is starting to evacuate form Syria. Additional air transports are rumored to start flying Russian military equipment out of Syria. At the same time, the weapon runners Sparta and Ursa Major have left Russia and are heading, according to their AIS, to Port Said and Vladivostok respectively. We can expect both vessels to make a last moment  change and head to Tartus to load up Russian military equipment. Satellite imagery shows a build up of bulk storage at the former Russian military dock ...