Significant (albeit temporary) reinforcements for Russian Navy in the Mediterranean

Yesterday, the Russian Navy cruiser Varyag arrived in Tartus, and next week it will be joined by the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov. Over the weekend, the Syrian port also saw the arrival of the landing ships A. Otrakovsky, Ivan Gren, and the tanker Kola, likely carrying a “sensitive” cargo that couldn’t be sent via the Black Sea due to the threat of Ukrainian drones.

🇷🇺MED SEA FLOTILLA🇷🇺
3M📷 from 2 April 2024 of the port of 🇸🇾Tartus (@planet | @SkyfiApp).

Appears that Ivan Gren (135) has arrived and is actively unloading & Alexandr Otrakovsky (031) has also arrived.

Also seen in port is Merkury (Steregushchiy) & Orekhovo-Zuyevo (Buyan-M) pic.twitter.com/SkAjkumid5

— MT Anderson (@MT_Anderson) April 3, 2024

Two Russian Navy Ilyushin IL-38s were spotted east of Crete while patrolling the sea where the Russian convoy was expected to transit.

🇷🇺A. Otrakovsky, Kola and Ivan Gren arrived in 🇸🇾Tartus port this W-E.
📸Two 🇷🇺Il-38 have recon their route in the Mediterranean sea. Once again Russians have been stepping up protection for their ships in the Med.
What are they afraid of? What are they preparing?🤔 pic.twitter.com/Lvp0T1eSX3

— Russian Forces Spotter (@TiaFarris10) April 2, 2024

The overall picture indicates that Russian presence in the Mediterranean has returned to significant levels, although not yet comparable to those reached two years ago, with the current presence comprising a cruiser and two frigates. It’s unclear if there are still Russian submarines in the Mediterranean.

However, it’s worth noting that this presence is temporary. Russian media sources have indicated that the cruiser Varyag and the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov will embark on a transatlantic journey to visit ports in Latin America, meaning that after a period spent in the Mediterranean (a few weeks perhaps?), these two major units are destined to leave the Russian fleet in the area.

We will see if during this period the two units engage in operational activities or if they remain in Syria or nearby waters.

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