Russian reinforcements on the way to the Mediterranean Sea?

The Altay Class tanker Yelnya (IMO 6813095) left the port of Tartus, Syria, last night. The ship is currently sailing west at a speed of about 8 knots.

Russian Navy Morse code weather from Altay Class tanker Yelnya, 12464 Kilohertz CW, 1205 UTC

RCV DE UCTA5 03121 99347 10347 41698 42504 10270 40160 54010 70200 84200 22262 00250 03012 BT AR UCTA5 K

Breaks to

34.7N 34.7E Heading West at 6-10 Knots https://t.co/JT31fWnhwa

— TJ (@te3ej) November 3, 2023

We know its position thanks to a Morse message that the ship sent at 13:05 CET, indicating its position and weather conditions.

The departure of the Yelnya from Tartus is interesting because, according to many analysts, it is heading to meet the Admiral Grigorovich frigate and a Steregushchiy class corvette that left the Baltic Sea yesterday and are likely headed to the Mediterranean.

If this is confirmed, it would be the first reinforcement for the Russian Mediterranean fleet in several months.

OOA activity – update

For information, a slide regarding this morning's departure of SKR-494 Adm Grigorovich & a UI Steregushchiy class corvette from the Baltic Sea. pic.twitter.com/qap14lWKdM

— Droxford Maritime (@Drox_Maritime) November 3, 2023