Russia withdraws all submarines from the Mediterranean after political upheaval in Syria

(Dan Tri) - After Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown, the Russian Navy no longer has any submarines in the Mediterranean.

Image of the Russian Navy's improved Kilo-class submarine Novorossiysk after leaving the Mediterranean on the night of January 2 (Photo: Naval News).

According to Naval News , the last submarine left on January 2. Only one nuclear-powered submarine may remain here, but Naval News said that possibility is also unlikely.

According to Naval News , on the night of January 2, the improved Kilo-class submarine Novorossiysk (B-61) quietly passed through the Strait of Gibraltar. Like its regular journeys back to the Baltic Sea, the ship moved on the surface. The journey of the Novorossiysk submarine was confirmed by the Portuguese Navy on January 4.

Over the past decade, Russia has maintained a steady presence of conventional submarines in the Mediterranean. The current permanent Russian naval task force in the Mediterranean was established in 2013 and regularly operates one or two or more Kilo-class submarines, deployed on a rotational basis.

Regularly monitoring the movements of Russian warships, expert Frederik Van Lokeren noticed that although there are sometimes short-term gaps, especially at the end of 2023, in general there is always a Russian Kilo submarine deployed here.

These submarines are usually anchored in Tartus, but since December 3, 2024, none have called at the port. Most of the time, Russia's conventionally powered submarines remain in port, even when deployed. This shows that Russia has difficulty maintaining a regular presence in the Mediterranean.

Russia's naval base in Tartus has been an important part of Moscow's ability to project its influence, both militarily and politically , in the Middle East and Africa. So the reduced presence of warships and submarines will certainly have a significant impact on this ambition of Russia.

Moscow may be looking for an alternative location for the Tartus naval base. There has also been recent speculation that Russia is negotiating a deal with the new Syrian government to allow it to continue operating the base, but nothing concrete has been announced.

Other locations that Russia has considered include Benghazi, Tobruk, and Al Burdi, all in eastern Libya. However, no such agreement has been confirmed so far, and there is no sign of new construction taking place.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/nga-rut-toan-bo-tau-ngam-khoi-dia-trung-hai-sau-bien-dong-chinh-tri-o-syria-20250106171629426.htm