After the loss of the Tartus naval base in Syria, Russia’s submarine presence in the Mediterranean Sea has reportedly vanished. This development carries significant implications for Russia’s naval power projection in the region, significantly limiting its strategic capabilities. The loss of this crucial facility, which served as a vital support hub for Russian submarines operating in the Mediterranean, leaves a noticeable gap in their operational reach.
The absence of Russian submarines from the Mediterranean raises questions about their future operations in the area. Without Tartus, the logistical challenges of maintaining a submarine presence become considerably more difficult. Maintaining submarines far from their home bases requires extensive support, including resupply, maintenance, and crew rotations.… Continue reading
The sanctioned Russian cargo ship Ursa Major, owned by Oboronlogistika and carrying two large cranes, sank in the Mediterranean Sea after an engine room explosion. Fourteen crew members were rescued, but two remain missing. The ship, previously named Sparta, was reportedly en route to Vladivostok, though Ukrainian intelligence claimed it was heading to Syria to transport Russian military equipment. The incident follows recent reports of Russian military withdrawal from Syria and other maritime incidents involving Russian vessels.
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The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea on Monday following an engine room explosion. The vessel, reportedly evacuating personnel and equipment from Syrian Russian bases, was en route from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok. Of the sixteen Russian crew members, fourteen were rescued and two remain missing. The incident occurred in international waters off the coast of Spain.
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The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea following an engine room explosion on December 23rd. Fourteen crew members were rescued, but two remain missing. The ship, previously sanctioned due to its owner’s ties to the Kremlin, was reportedly carrying port equipment and may have been part of a convoy evacuating Russian military assets from Syria. Ukraine’s military intelligence suggested the incident hampered Russia’s efforts to withdraw equipment from Syria, impacting their military presence in the region.
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The Ursa Major, a Russian cargo ship under US sanctions, sank in the Mediterranean Sea following an engine room explosion. Fourteen crew members were rescued and brought to Spain, while two remain missing. The vessel, owned by Oboronlogistika, was reportedly en route to Vladivostok carrying heavy cargo. Its proximity to another sanctioned Russian ship, the Sparta, and its owner’s involvement in transporting cargo to Tartous, Syria, raise further questions.
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Satellite imagery reveals that, following the Syrian rebel takeover of Damascus and the flight of President Assad, Russian naval vessels, including two guided-missile frigates and an oiler, have departed from their Tartous base. These ships have anchored approximately 13 kilometers northwest of Tartous, while the remaining fleet’s location remains undetermined. This relocation comes as Moscow seeks to secure its strategically vital air base in Latakia and its sole Mediterranean naval facility at Tartous. The departure was confirmed by both satellite imagery and Russian war blogger reports.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker