The Daily Telegraph: For the first time in decades, Russia has lost its maritime defensive capability in the Mediterranean.
For over a decade, the Russian Navy has had no vessels deployed in the Mediterranean. Western officials say the Russian naval forces are stretched thin and in total disarray, with all ships previously stationed in the region having been redeployed to escort sanctioned oil tanker convoys.
Russia established a permanent naval task force in the Mediterranean starting in 2013; now, Putin is forced to withdraw the entire fleet from the area.
An unnamed NATO official stated: “Russian warships have not been seen in the Mediterranean since June—this is unprecedented in over ten years and highly significant. A navy unable to deploy globally cannot be considered an ocean-going fleet. Russia is currently experiencing acute crisis anxiety. Earlier, when a small sailboat approached near the English Channel, Russia fired warning shots—clearly reflecting the current tense state of the Russian Navy.”
The agreement by Syria to reclaim control over core areas of two Russian military bases further exacerbates Russia’s difficulties, severely undermining its regional strategic influence. Russia is now seeking alternative solutions, attempting to establish a new naval base in Tobruk port, Libya, which is already being used for Russian logistics and supply transfers.
A UK Ministry of Defence official, commenting on the absence of Russian military presence in the Mediterranean, said: “This confirms the effectiveness of our ongoing operations targeting Russia’s shadow fleet. Moscow must understand that we will steadfastly counter all forms of its aggression, whether the conflict occurs in Ukraine, the UK itself, or on allied territories.”
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1874232309929291/
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