Russia reportedly evacuates naval ships from Tartus, Syria amid rising tensions

Russia’s naval presence at its strategic base in Syria is reportedly under threat as the country’s civil war continues to shift against the Assad regime.

In response to the growing dangers, there are increasing signs that Russia may be evacuating some of its naval assets from Tartus, a key military outpost on the Mediterranean according to the H I Sutton’s Naval News report.

Departure of naval vessels from Tartus base

As opposition forces advance closer to Syria’s capital, Damascus, Russia has reportedly begun to withdraw several of its naval vessels stationed at the Tartus base.

On Monday, the auxiliary ship Yelnya, a crucial asset to Russia’s Mediterranean presence, was observed leaving the port. This movement is seen as the first visible indication that Russia may be evacuating its forces from the region, amid growing concerns about the safety of the base.

Russia’s Tartus naval base in Syria

The Tartus naval base has been home to a variety of Russian military vessels, including two Gorshkov-class frigates, one Grigorovich-class frigate, two auxiliary vessels, and an Improved-Kilo-class submarine.

It is not yet confirmed whether the remaining vessels have also departed, but reports suggest that they may have followed the Yelnya out of Syria.

Naval analyst Droxford Maritime noted that there is a “realistic possibility” that these departures are linked to the deteriorating security situation in Syria. “Given the military developments on the ground, it seems likely that Russia is moving its naval assets to safer locations,” he commented.

Tartus: A vital strategic asset for Russia

The naval base at Tartus, established in 1971, is a vital part of Russia’s military strategy in the Mediterranean and the broader Middle East. While its use diminished after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it gained renewed importance following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2012. Since then, it has been a key outpost for Russia’s military operations, particularly in support of the Assad regime.

During Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Tartus became even more significant, serving as a staging ground for warships intended to join operations in the Black Sea. While Russia had hoped to use Tartus to deter NATO involvement in the Mediterranean, particularly from aircraft carriers, access to the Black Sea was blocked by Türkiye, forcing Russian vessels to remain in the Mediterranean.

Russia’s changing military strategy

The latest evacuation of naval ships from Tartus comes amid a shift in the battlefield dynamics in Syria. Opposition forces have made significant gains, pushing closer to the capital and threatening the Assad regime’s hold on power.

As the situation worsens, it is becoming increasingly likely that Russia may be forced to scale back its military presence in Syria, with potential consequences for its regional strategy.

Implications for Russia’s regional influence

Analysts suggest that the Russian naval ships could seek temporary refuge in the Mediterranean, potentially docking in ports such as Algeria or Libya.

Independent defense analyst and author H I Sutton says, “It now appears possible that the port will eventually be attacked or abandoned. Certainly, it appears likely that Russian warships are leaving the once-safe port. It is expected that the warships will sail from the Mediterranean to the Baltic. Possibly they will seek temporary safe harbor in Algeria or Libya on the way.”

“If Tartus remains in Russian control then it is likely to be used for any Russian heavy reinforcements. These will take weeks to arrive however so initial movements are more likely by air,” Sutton adds.