August 26, 2026
NATO assessed russia’s presence and identified the main vulnerability of the russian Navy, on which the presence of its ships in the world’s oceans depends
The russian Navy has not been present in the Mediterranean Sea since June, marking the first time this has happened in 10 years.
This assessment was made by NATO representatives in an interview with UK Defense Journal. It is noted that this situation arose due to the russian federation’s need to escort shadow fleet tankers with military ships.
According to the publication, this occurred on June 30, when the russian frigate Admiral Kasatonov and the oil tanker Akademik Pashin left the Mediterranean Sea after refueling at the Algerian port of Oran.
According to MARCOM (NATO Maritime Command), russian ships are currently more active in the Baltic Sea and in Atlantic waters around Northern Europe. The escort of shadow tankers in these areas places a strain on russia’s ability to deploy naval forces for other missions.
NATO also noted that the russian Navy is currently facing a significant shortage of support vessels, particularly specialized refueling tankers. The ability to deploy ships to escort shadow fleet tankers depends largely on the number of these vessels.
At the same time, the British acknowledged that russia now maintains a warship in the English Channel permanently. In July, the Neustrashimy frigate replaced the Admiral Grigorovich. This ship that now regularly escorts shadow fleet tankers through the strait between Great Britain and France, both of which have officially declared a fight against russia’s shadow fleet.
From Defense Express we would like to note that the UK and France, in fact, are not taking any steps to prevent such convoys. In April, a revealing incident occurred when the British military tanker RFA Tideforce “escorted” the russian missile frigate Admiral Grigorovich through the English Channel.
The only tanker from russia’s shadow fleet to be intercepted by the British was the Smyrtos on June 14, 2026. At the same time, russia’s total shadow fleet consists of about 700 tankers.
“This ship that now regularly escorts shadow fleet tankers through the strait between Great Britain and France, both of which have officially declared a fight against russia’s shadow fleet.”
It’s not been much of a fight for Britain and France. As a matter or fact, it’s been deplorably pathetic. The mafia rust bucket fleet does what it wants, even in the “English” Channel.