OSINT Tracker Feb 13 2022: Russian Navy Anti-Ship Capabilities in Mediterranean & Black Sea

Flag Russia Regular updates on Russian Navy anti-ship (/anti-carrier) assets in Mediterranean and Black Sea. Compiled with Damien Symon (Twitter), based on Open Source Intelligence (OSINT).

Original Viz. CLICK to enlarge.

Highlights

Russia has deployed Tu-22M3 BACKFIRE-C bombers and MiG-31K FOXHOUND jets to Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. The move was anticipated and further strengthens anti-ship capabilities in the Mediterranean. The MiG-31Ks are capable of carrying the Kinzhal hypersonic missile. The missile is generally thought to have an anti-warship capability but does not appear to have been test fired in this scenario.

Reports that the LADA Class submarine Sankt Petersburg has deployed to the Mediterranean are not credible.

Surface Groups

Marshal Ustinov group. 1 x SLAVA Class Cruiser, 1 x UDALOY-I Class Destroyer and 1 x Admiral Gorshkov class frigate. continues to track east at a slow 10 knots. We believe that her most likely destination is Tartus where she may resupply.

Varyag group. 1 x SLAVA Class Cruiser, 1 x UDALOY-I Class Destroyer . Possibly other warships. Active in Eastern Mediterranean

Moskva. 1 x SLAVA Class Cruiser, unreported escorts. has been involved in drills in the Black Sea. It is now unclear whether the Black Sea Fleet's SLAVA class cruiser, Moskva, will enter the Mediterranean as we previously believed.

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Submarines

2 x KILO Class submarines, Krasnodar and Novorossiysk, on patrol in Eastern / Central Med. Exact position not known. To be confirmed.

KILO Class submarine Rostov-na-Donu is now in the black Sea and likely arrived in Sevastopol.

3 x KILO submarines believed to be in Sevastopol and /or now in Novorossiysk.

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Bastion-P missile batteries

Likely deployed near Tartus, Syria.
Likely deployments near Sevastopol and Novorossiysk/Sochi. Units seen on move in recent days around these areas.

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