We seem to be on the eve of a new Russian naval operation in the Adriatic.
The Russian Navy tanker Akademik Pashin (IMO: 9778193, MMSI: 273399750) is in fact sailing in the Ionian Sea, off the Peloponnese, heading north.
Yesterday, the ship refuelled a Steregushchiy-class corvette south of Crete, which leads us to believe that this vessel is also sailing with the Akademik Pashin (as it did in December).
There are currently two Steregushchiy class corvettes in the Mediterranean, the Stoiky and the Soobrazitelny, but from satellite images it is not possible to distinguish them.
It is likely that the two units are heading towards the Adriatic Sea where the Carrier Strike Group of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is underway, returned to the area after its participation in the JuniperOak23 exercise in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
UPDATE – 01/02/23 – 10:00 CET
Akademik Pashin changed course, now heading south, sailing to the limits of Greek territorial waters. In the morning, a USN Boeing P-8A flew over the area. It’s not known if the ship is alone or if its possible “traveling companion” has continued its navigation north
