Russian spy ship fire exposes poor state of Mediterranean fleet, say experts
Russian spy ship fire exposes poor state of Mediterranean fleet, say experts
Incident reveals Russia’s maritime presence in the area is in a state of disrepair and disarray, argue western sources
Summary
Russian spy ship Kildin caught fire off Syria, with thick smoke and distress signals revealing that its crew had lost control of the vessel.
Analysts and Western security officials say the incident highlights severe maintenance and readiness issues within Russia’s aging Mediterranean naval fleet.
Experts warn that the potential loss of the Tartus base would exacerbate these chronic problems, jeopardizing Russia’s strategic foothold in the region.
Russia’s search for alternatives in Algeria, Sudan, or Libya appears fraught with political risk and operational challenges, casting doubt on its long-term Mediterranean presence.
Did a bit of digging, this is "Intelligence Ship Kilden" not a converted or re-activated Kilden Class destroyer (none of which were named Kilden, and all were deactivated by 1991). The ship is converted from a Hydrographic survey vessel (1970), outfitted with 16 "Strela" SAM missiles. Given her 30 day endurance and less than 10k nautical miles range, she was not out here alone - and suspiciously there's been a lot of underwater stuff broken in the recent years - the kind of thing a hydrographic ship would be great at locating.
She's powered by 4 diesel generators feeding 2 1800hp engines, so "thick black smoke coming from the funnel" means she probably blew an engine, and damaged the other for the moment, with no power to her screws (resulting in the Loss of Control signal) and as a result was "sacrificial lamb'd" by her surface complement in case of discovery. If they get the engine(s) back up and running, she will probably be rejoined by a conveniently close escort of some kind "to ensure she makes it back to port safely".
The recent spate of broken underwater cables has been in the Baltic Sea, and I'm not sure if there is a short route between those two locations. I doubt this particular ship has any connection with those incidents.
This specific ship probably was not have been involved in those, but one like it would be. If you're going to break something you need to know where it is. The link I found shows 5 total converted vessels like this in the Black Sea Fleet alone (They're listed as Project 861M)
I stated she's not alone because she only has a single SAM battery, and low top speed/fuel reserves. Something like this needs a refueler and protection escort, even if it's a destroyer or 2.
Russia’s search for alternatives in Algeria, Sudan, or Libya
The logistics of a Mediterranean naval base in Sudan would be something to behold. Seems like they'd have to cross the Suez. That or portage past the Aswan Dam.
Russia starts sabotaging undersea infrastructure... Russia spy ship "catches fire"... Totally unrelated.
Related in that it actually tried to do something. Russian ships have never needed outside help to catch on fire
Can't have a fire once it's been perforated, down in the Ocean's Deep, well below the waves, permanently.