Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov - after around Africa now in the Mediterranean

On the afternoon of 13 April 2023, the Russian frigate "Admiral Gorshkov" left the Suez Canal northwards with its support ship, the tanker "Kama". According to earlier Russian media reports, Tartus, Syria, is the next port of destination.

Both units have been on a long-distance journey since 4 January. This had a few surprises in store. From 17 to 26 February, the two Russian units took part in the trilateral exercise "Mosi II". At the invitation of South Africa, the host and three units of the Chinese navy practised with the Russian globetrotters on the east coast of South Africa. This was followed in mid-March by "Maritime Security Belt 23", a naval exercise involving the Russian Federation, China and Iran in the sea area off the Iranian coast of Chahbahar. After a stopover in Djibouti, the small Russian unit headed for the Saudi city of Jeddah. It was the first harbour visit by Russian units to Saudi Arabia in ten years.

Russian tanker "Kama". Photo: Russian MoD

The frigate and the "Kama" supplying it via bow and stern are now expected in Tartus, Syria. The Russian fleet maintains a supply and maintenance centre there. The harbour is of considerable strategic value to Moscow. Supplies for Russian troops in Syria are channelled through it. It is a base for Russian surface and underwater units operating in the Mediterranean. The facilities include a pier, fuel tanks, barracks and a floating dock with a capacity of 80,000 tonnes.

Before the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 16 Russian units were cruising off the Syrian coast, including the Slava-class cruisers "Marshal Ustinov" and "Varyag", two Udaloy-class destroyers, two guided missile frigates, two Kilo-class submarines, a Buyan-class corvette and other smaller units as well as auxiliary vessels. Today, there are still seven units of the Russian fleet in the Mediterranean (open reconnaissance), including "Krasnodar", a Kilo-class submarine and, as the largest unit, the "Admiral Grigorovich" frigate of the same class, as well as two Steregushchy-class corvettes, another of the Buyan-M class, an anti-mine vessel and "Kola", an Altay-class fleet tanker.

Further details on the journey of the "Admiral Gorshkov" under "digi+".