Russian submarine seeks safe harbor in Algiers after losing access to Syrian port
The Russian Navy's Kilo-class submarine B-265 Krasnodar, part of the Black Sea Fleet, has docked in the port of Algiers, accompanied by the Baltic Fleet’s ocean-going tug Evgeny Churov, according to multiple maritime tracking sources, including Italy-based Itamilradar.
In brief
The Russian submarine B-265 Krasnodar of the Black Sea Fleet has moored in the port of Algiers together with the ocean-going tug Yevgeny Churov of the Baltic Fleet. Both vessels are to remain in the Algerian port for several days to refuel and undergo maintenance work. The new authorities in Damascus have refused Russia access to the port of Tartus since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December last year. Russia currently has a submarine, a frigate, a support tanker, a tug and the spy ship Viktor Leonov in the Mediterranean Sea.
The vessels are expected to remain in the Algerian port for several days to refuel and undergo routine maintenance.
Until recently, Russian naval units operating in the Mediterranean relied on the Syrian port of Tartus as a logistical hub. However, access was withdrawn following the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December last year. The new authorities in Damascus have since denied Russia the use of the facility.
This loss of a stable support base has significantly constrained the operational flexibility of Russian naval assets in the Mediterranean. Following the departure of the modern frigate Admiral Gorshkov from the region last week, Russia now maintains a modest presence in these waters, consisting of a submarine, a frigate, a replenishment tanker, a tug, and the signals intelligence vessel Viktor Leonov. The latter was observed transiting the Strait of Gibraltar in mid-April, replacing the SIGINT ship Kildin, which left the area earlier that month.
According to a Wednesday statement from the Ukrainian Navy, at least two of the Russian vessels currently in the Mediterranean are equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles.
Russian naval activity near NATO’s southern flank continues to be closely monitored by American and Italian aircraft, drones, and naval assets.
Source: PAP / Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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