THE Russian Navy's Kilo-class submarine Novorossiysk, its last known sub operating in the Mediterranean, was spotted heading home near Portugal, according to the Portuguese Air Force, reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.
Following a regime change in Syria, Russia has been consolidating its military assets at the naval base in Tartus, likely preparing for evacuation.
Despite concentrating trucks and heavy equipment at the base, no Russian auxiliary ships have docked to load cargo.
Satellite imagery reveals empty piers at Tartus, even as evacuation flights continue from nearby Hmeimim Airbase.
High-resolution satellite images released by Maxar show over 100 military trucks staged at tartus as of Monday, reflecting a month-long Russian withdrawal.
An air defense and surface-search radar near the harbor entrance has also been dismantled, presumably for transport back to Russia.
Meanwhile, a Ropucha-class amphibious ship and the freighter Sparta were observed loitering offshore.
The Sparta, a sanctioned Russian military cargo vessel, made the journey from the Baltic to Syria last month. Although blacklisted by the US Treasury for its role in supporting Russia's involvement in the Syrian Civil War, Sparta was a regular visitor to Tartus.
It remains offshore under surveillance by a US Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
The potential loss of Tartus as a base presents operational challenges for the Russian Navy.
Its Mediterranean Sea Task Force may struggle to sustain submarine deployments without a local hub.
The departure of the Novorossiysk through the Strait of Gibraltar on January 2 marked the end of Russia's known submarine presence in the region.
Analyst HI Sutton notes that with resource constraints, ongoing sanctions, and limited basing options, Russia is unlikely to maintain regular submarine operations in the Med.
SeaNews Turkey
Following a regime change in Syria, Russia has been consolidating its military assets at the naval base in Tartus, likely preparing for evacuation.
Despite concentrating trucks and heavy equipment at the base, no Russian auxiliary ships have docked to load cargo.
Satellite imagery reveals empty piers at Tartus, even as evacuation flights continue from nearby Hmeimim Airbase.
High-resolution satellite images released by Maxar show over 100 military trucks staged at tartus as of Monday, reflecting a month-long Russian withdrawal.
An air defense and surface-search radar near the harbor entrance has also been dismantled, presumably for transport back to Russia.
Meanwhile, a Ropucha-class amphibious ship and the freighter Sparta were observed loitering offshore.
The Sparta, a sanctioned Russian military cargo vessel, made the journey from the Baltic to Syria last month. Although blacklisted by the US Treasury for its role in supporting Russia's involvement in the Syrian Civil War, Sparta was a regular visitor to Tartus.
It remains offshore under surveillance by a US Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
The potential loss of Tartus as a base presents operational challenges for the Russian Navy.
Its Mediterranean Sea Task Force may struggle to sustain submarine deployments without a local hub.
The departure of the Novorossiysk through the Strait of Gibraltar on January 2 marked the end of Russia's known submarine presence in the region.
Analyst HI Sutton notes that with resource constraints, ongoing sanctions, and limited basing options, Russia is unlikely to maintain regular submarine operations in the Med.
SeaNews Turkey
