Russia Has No Warships In The Mediterranean For The First Time Since 2013

For the first time since 2013, Russia does not have any naval ships deployed in the Mediterranean Sea. This was confirmed on July 1, 2026, after the last remaining ones left the region.

Russia’s ability to sustain operations in the Mediterranean has been reduced after Turkiye closed the Turkish Straits to warships involved in the Ukraine war.

Moscow has also lost access to its naval logistics centre in Syria and has deployed its ships in other regions.

Turkiye has closed the Bosporus and Dardanelles to warships of nations participating in the conflict.

This prevented Russia’s Black Sea Fleet from rotating vessels between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

Political changes in Syria in 2024 also weakened Moscow’s ability to use its primary support pier in the eastern Mediterranean, located in Tartus.

A large part of the Russian force has been assigned to other missions; some are escorting government and special-purpose ships in Northern Europe, including near the U.K.

Russian naval activities in the Mediterranean last occurred in June, when satellite images confirmed the presence of frigate Admiral Kasatonov and the fleet replenishment tanker Akademik Pashin at Tartus.

The ships then sailed to Alexandria, Egypt, during Russia Day celebrations, and then arrived at Algeria’s port of Oran on June 22 before leaving the region.

However, experts argue that the situation might not remain like this for long since the Mediterranean is an important route linking Russian vessels with the Atlantic Ocean and the wider global waters, making return important.

Russia might also look for new locations to establish its logistics hub, such as Sudan, where Russian officials have been trying to sign a deal for establishing a naval support hub on the Red Sea coast.

Ukraine, on the other hand, is expanding its ability to project force in the Mediterranean.

In April, 2026, Ukrainian forces established a presence in western Libya and used drones to target vessels connected with Russia, sailing in the Mediterranean.