Russia Reduces Military Activity in the Mediterranean

NATO has reported a reduction in Russian naval activity in the Mediterranean Sea, citing problems with combat readiness and pressures in other regions.

Defense News reported the development.

The decline is also linked to Moscow’s loss of a base in Syria, where two submarines and ten ships were previously stationed.

According to a NATO official who spoke on condition of anonymity, Russian naval presence in the region has fallen sharply in recent months, with only a few ships now operating there on average.

“It is our assessment that the Russian Navy, which is already resource-constrained regarding where to place its assets, is experiencing force-generation challenges and dilemmas currently affecting its posture in the Mediterranean sea,” the official told Defense News.

The official cited two main factors behind these difficulties: the loss of Russia’s strategic port in Tartus, Syria, and the increased NATO presence in the Baltic and northern regions.

As Moscow’s influence in the Mediterranean has waned, it has shifted much of its focus to the Baltic Sea, where NATO has begun a large-scale deployment.

Earlier this year, NATO launched the Baltic Sentinel mission, aimed at strengthening the protection of critical undersea infrastructure and enhancing maritime surveillance through the use of frigates, patrol aircraft, drones, and national monitoring systems.

The NATO representative stated that Russia is attempting to counter the expanded presence by allocating more resources to protect its interests and shipping in these waters.

The Russian Navy does not publish official figures on the number of its vessels.

However, a public report released this year by the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated that Russia’s Baltic Fleet operates about 69 ships and auxiliary vessels.