Return to Tartus

After several days of slow navigation, the Russian Navy tug Churov (SB-921) and the submarine Krasnodar (B-265) have likely arrived today off the coast of Tartus, Syria.

Russian Navy Morse code weather from Tug SB-921 Evgeniy Churov, 12464 Kilohertz CW, 1204 UTC

RIW DE RMEV 04121 99349 10357 41598 53202 10182 400?? 57004 70210 82500 22200 20301 04012 BT AR RMEV K

34.9N 35.7E Hove to https://t.co/hJb3zkXDCi

— TJ (@te3ej) March 4, 2025

All analysts had assumed that the pair of Russian units were just passing through the Mediterranean, as the Tartus port was no longer available.

However, it seems this was not the case. It is unclear whether the two units have entered the port (the last message with coordinates sent by the Churov was in the early afternoon), but it is evident that if both are there, it is because they have been authorized to dock at the Syrian port.

If this is confirmed in the coming days by satellite images, it would mean that the new Syrian government has yielded to Russian pressure and reopened the Tartus naval base (or at least allowed the resupply of Russian naval units).