Moscow. January 1st. INTERFAX-AVN - The Russian Black Sea Fleet named the composition of the squadron that performs tasks in the Mediterranean Sea.
"More than 10 crews of ships and support vessels of the Black Sea Fleet met the new year 2022 in the Mediterranean Sea, performing special tasks as part of the permanent grouping of the Navy in the far sea zone," the press service of the fleet reported on Saturday.
"Currently, the frigate Admiral Grigorovich, the small missile ship Vyshny Volochek, the patrol ship Dmitry Rogachev, submarines, the minesweeper Vladimir Zakharin and other ships and support vessels are located in the Mediterranean Sea as part of the naval forces grouping," the Black Sea Fleet said in a statement.
Russian frigates, as well as diesel submarines from the permanent formation of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea, have repeatedly struck militants in Syria with Kalibr cruise missiles (a family of long-range cruise missiles developed by the Novator Design Bureau, Almaz-Antey Concern of East Kazakhstan Region).
Russia has a naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus in the Mediterranean Sea.
On September 30, 2020, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the base in Tartus is capable of receiving dozens of warships. "All ship parking lots are equipped with life support systems, unloading platforms, a repair complex for servicing and minor repairs of ships and vessels," the Russian Defense Minister said at the time.
Russia also has an air base in Syria at the Khmeimim airfield. Planes and helicopters of the Russian Aerospace Forces support ground operations of the Syrian army. It was officially reported that special operations forces of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, divisions of the center for reconciliation of the warring parties, military police, marines and others are operating in Syria.
Russia has been conducting a military operation in Syria since September 30, 2015.
