Russian Oil Tanker Struck In Aerial Attack Hundreds Of Miles From Ukraine

The War Zone – Russian-owned oil tanker was attacked in the Black Sea about 80 miles north of the Turkish city of Sinop, according to Turkish and Russian authorities. The strike was “highly likely” carried out by aerial drones, according to the Ambrey maritime security firm. The attack on the Midvolga-2 was the third against Russian-connected ships in the Black Sea in the past three days and came a day after Turkish President Recep Erdogan issued a stark warning that the war in Ukraine was spilling over and endangering navigation.

Russia’s first major African naval base since USSR suspended, as war against Ukraine drains resources

EuroMaiden – Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service reports that the Kremlin has announced a suspension of agreements to establish a naval logistics base in Port Sudan. The base was intended to become Russia’s first full-scale naval facility in Africa since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The suspension highlights Moscow’s limited resources for expanding overseas military infrastructure, as it focuses virtually all of its capabilities on the war in Ukraine.

(Thanks to Alain)

Russia Finally Launches The Poseidon Armed Submarine Khabarovsk

Covert Shores – After a painfully long wait, the Russian submarine Khabarovsk has finally emerged from its construction shed in Severodvinsk. The Pr. 09851 class boat is the second Poseidon carrying submarine in the Russian Navy, following the Pr. 09852 Belgorod. Khabarovsk is a smaller submarine better optimized to the role of carrying Poseidon. 

Russia’s Submarine Problem Is Much Worse Than Many Imagine

Naval News – The Russian submarine Novorossiysk, an Improved Kilo-class vessel, has been forced to limp home to the Baltic after a mechanical failure in the Mediterranean. While some reports exaggerated its plight, the incident exposes the Russian Navy’s declining presence in the region. Since losing its Syrian base at Tartus in 2024 and facing restrictions on movement through the Bosporus, Russia’s Mediterranean task force has largely collapsed. The Novorossiysk’s troubles highlight mounting maintenance issues and the broader erosion of Moscow’s naval reach in the Mediterranean.

Russia’s Naval Shift: Offensive USVs and Their Strategic Role in the Baltic Sea

Naval News – The Russian Navy recently concluded a fleet wide naval exercise, with the exception of the Black Sea Fleet, called July Storm. The exercise took place between July 23-27 and included a notable event during with the deployment of two new Russian unmanned surface vessels (USVs) that engaged and destroyed a floating surface target.