Russian Submarine Novorossiysk Reappears Off Syrian Coast

As was the case during its previous deployment to the Mediterranean, the Russian submarine Novorossiysk—which entered the Mare Nostrum a few weeks ago via the Strait of Gibraltar, accompanied by the tug Jakob Grebelsky—is now positioned off the coast of Tartus, Syria.

In recent weeks, the submarine has crossed the entire Mediterranean, spending an extended period off the coast of western Egypt, where it repeatedly maneuvered together with the tug in a pattern indicative of standby or holding operations.

The submarine has now moved closer to Syrian waters. To be honest, it’s unclear whether the two vessels had temporarily separated during the journey, but thanks to recent photos released by NATO, we can now confirm that both assets are currently operating together off the Syrian coast.

The absence of a proper Russian naval base in the Mediterranean altogether has severely limited the presence and operational effectiveness of Russian naval forces—particularly submarines. While Tartus had long served as a limited logistical hub, its loss has further undermined Moscow’s ability to sustain and support naval deployments in the region.

What happens next remains to be seen, but it’s likely that, after a brief stay in Syrian waters, the submarine and tug will begin their journey back to Russia.