Russian submarine cut off from port in Syria finds refuge in Algeria

The submarine B-265 “Krasnodar”, belonging to the Russian Black Sea Fleet, has moored in a port in Algeria.

This was reported by Gospodarka Morska, citing sources monitoring maritime movements, in particular the Italian resource Itamilradar.

The submarine is accompanied by the ocean tug “Evgeny Churov”, which is part of the Russian Baltic Fleet. Both vessels will probably remain in the Algerian port for several days for refueling and maintenance.

Previously, Russian ships in the Mediterranean Sea used the port of Tartus in Syria, but after the overthrow of the regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad in December last year, the new authorities in Damascus have denied Russia access to the port.

The lack of a permanent supply base in the Mediterranean Sea seriously limits the operational capabilities of Russian ships that are still operating in this region. And after the Northern Fleet’s modern frigate Admiral Golovko left the Mediterranean a week ago, Russia now has a submarine, a frigate, a supply tanker, a tugboat and the reconnaissance ship Viktor Leonov in these waters. The latter was spotted passing through the Strait of Gibraltar in mid-April. The Viktor Leonov replaced another reconnaissance ship, the Kildin, which left the Mediterranean in early April.

According to a statement released by the Ukrainian Navy on April 23, two of these ships are armed with Kalibr cruise missiles.

Russian ships in the waters near NATO’s southern flank are constantly under surveillance by American and Italian aircraft, drones and ships.

USM previously reported that Russia may be supplying stolen Ukrainian grain to Syria.