Russian movements in the Mediterranean

There is movement of Russian Navy units in the Mediterranean. Some have recently entered, some are passing through, and others have been there for some time. With this post, we aim to provide an update.

The submarine Ufa and the tug Sergey Balk continue their navigation. Having entered the Mediterranean this week, they are en route to the Pacific, but it is not excluded that they may make a stop in Tartus, Syria.

The frigate Admiral Grigorovich is sailing towards Tartus. It left Algiers on December 12 after spending 8 days in Algeria participating in naval maneuvers. We do not know exactly where it is, but as of yesterday, it was still not in Syria.

🇷🇺MED SEA FLOTILLA🇷🇺
3M📸 from the port of Tartus, 19 Dec 2023. Admiral Grigorovich is likely returning from joint exercises with Algeria while the Sergey Balk is in the Med and likely still with KILO Class Krasnodar (destined for the Pac Fleet but may be in the med for a while). pic.twitter.com/Wz4LfBNiJl

— MT Anderson (@MT_Anderson) December 19, 2023

The last unit is the tanker Kama, which is also transiting the Mediterranean but is likely heading towards the Red Sea. There, it is expected to provide logistical assistance to another Russian unit making its way from the Indian Ocean to the Horn of Africa.

This afternoon, a US Navy Boeing P-8A, taking off from NAS Sigonella, threw an eye in the area where the Kama is underway before starting its flight towards the Eastern Mediterranean.

Additionally, this afternoon another tanker, the Yelnya, has departed from the port of Tartus.

Mediterranean Sea activity

Russian Navy Baltic Fleet tanker "Yelnya" departed Tartus, during the forenoon, 20 December 2023.

Vessel will likely conduct RAS tasking for deployed Russian Navy vessels operating in the Levant region. @shipohollic @YorukIsik @CovertShores pic.twitter.com/zSwu9uvbBC

— Droxford Maritime (@Drox_Maritime) December 20, 2023

A heartfelt thanks to Sergio Scandura of Radio Radicale