Russian Navy - News and Analysis

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jun-29 Weekly Brief The departure of the Pacific Fleet's warships might take place on a short notice. The presence of the Pacific Fleet's rescue tug Alatau indicates that preparations are in progress to escort the Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa from Tartus towards Vladivostok. At the same time, the Russian task force operates a small surface action group composed of the frigates Marshal Shaposhnikov and Admiral Grigorovich. The location of this SAG was not reported through OSINT means. Daily Events June 23 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus showed the presence of Slava class cruiser Varyag, Udaloy class frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov and Steregushchy class corvette Merkury as well as the Altay class oiler Kola [ 1 ] June 26 Several vessels of the task force were visually observed being moored or at anchor at Tartus, Syria. These vessels were identified as the Slava class cruiser Varyag, the Improved Kilo class ...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jun-22 Weekly Brief Slava class cruiser Varyag and Udaloy class frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov completed a deployment with port visits to Russia leaning areas such as Egypt and Libya and remained active in the Eastern Mediterranean. Frigate Admiral Grigorovich has been keeping track on the NATO Standing Maritime Group 2 operating in the eastern Mediterranean with the frigate operating close to a French vessel at the beginning of the week. The return of the Admiral Grigorovich to Tartus by the end of the week indicates that its role of shadowing NATO formations has been taken over by Slava class cruiser Varyag and Udaloy class frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov. Daily Events June 15 A French military vessel, part of NATO's SNMG2 has observed the presence of the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich operating near the maritime group [ d ]. June 16 Slava class cruiser Varyag arrived in the port of Tobruk, Libya, for a port visit [ 1 ...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jun-14 Weekly Brief A significant deployment by the Mediterranean task force took place during the week with all warships being deployed at sea at various times. The deployment appears to be unrelated to outside events.  Improved Kilo class submarine returned to Tartus following an absence of three weeks. The submarine most likely held a patrol in the Eastern Mediterranean. Slava Class cruiser Varyag and Udaloy class destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov were at sea for a week and were only observed at Alexandria, Egypt, on June 13. Frigate Admiral Grigorovich is reported to be near Cyprus where it was observed in close proximity to the Russian vessel General Skobelev. Daily Events June 08 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus confirmed the presence of Slava class cruiser Varyag, Udaloy class frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, Steregushchy class corvette Merkury, fleet oiler Kola and logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov [ ...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of Jun-08 Weekly Brief The task force is currently deploying several of its warships in the Mediterranean with the frigates Admiral Grigorovich and Marshal Shaposhnikov, as well as the submarine Ufa, deployed at sea, though the Shaposhnikov returned to Tartus by the end of the week. There are reports that Russia is dispatching its oil tankers towards Nador, Morocco, to conduct ship to ship transfers of oils in attempts to circumvent Western sanctions. Previously, Russia operated these tankers in Greek waters.  The news of the new transfer site coincides with visual observations of Russian vessels at Tartus. It is unclear if Russia will dispatch warships towards Morocco to safeguard the new transfer site. If it does, sustaining these operations will be difficult as Russian warships do not have a permanent base in the Western Mediterranean though a port visit to Algiers could provide for a one time replenishment of the warshi...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of May-25 Weekly Brief Steregushchy class corvette Merkury remains present in the Mediterranean. Previous reporting that the vessel had departed the Mediterranean with a group of Northern and Baltic Fleet warships proved to be erroneous. The corvette was observed in Tartus this week. A large scale deployment of the surface warships was observed on May 24th with all surface combatants, with the exception of the Udaloy class frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, being absent from the port of Tartus. Daily Events May 20 Logisitic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov is expected to arrive at Tartus on midday [ 1 ]. May 22 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus confirmed the presence of Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa, Frigate Admiral Grigorovich, Steregushchy class corvette Merkury, fleet oiler Kola and logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov [ 2 ]. May 24 Satellite imagery of the Syrian port of Tartus revealed the presence of the I...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of May-18 Weekly Brief A significant reduction in combat strength took place with the departure of Northern and Baltic Fleet warships as well as the Buyan-M class corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo. This leaves the task force reduced to a detachment of the Pacific Fleet and the frigate Admiral Grigorovich.  The departure also included the two amphibious landing vessels, thus resulting in an end to maritime weapon shipments for Russian mercenary forces stationed in Libya. Daily Events May 11 Civilian oil tanker Okeansky Prospect entered the Mediterranean during the afternoon via the Strait of Gibraltar [ 1 ]. Weapons runner Sparta IV was anchored near Malta and would stay there until May 13th. Frigate Admiral Grigorovich was observed sailing near Sparta IV [ 2 ]. May 12 Logistic support vessel Vice-Admiral Paromov was observed entering the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar at 10.45 local time [ 3 ]. Russian oil tanker Vladimir...

Task Force Composition As reported by OSINT at the morning of May-11 Weekly Brief Russian activity is increasing in the Mediterranean with a possible 4th Libyan express run between Tartus and Tobruk. Additional civilian vessels are entering the Mediterranean with the oil tanker General Skobelev heading into the Central Mediterranean and oil tanker Yaz moving out of the English Channel heading southwards towards the Strait of Gibraltar. It remains unclear how the Russian build up of supporting vessels and deliveries fits int he larger strategic framework. The Russian Federation is struggling to maintain momentum on the Ukrainian battlefield but is actively rerouting military resources to its forces in Libya, including military material from Syria and possible fuel shipments. Daily Events May 04 Satellite imagery of the port of Tartus revealed the presence Improved Kilo class submarine Ufa, the frigates Marshal Shaposhnikov and Admiral Grigorovich, Buyan-M class corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo,...