Russian ships enter the Red Sea. Headed for the Mediterranean?

The Russian Defense Minister writes that a detachment of warships from the Pacific Fleet (PF), consisting of the missile cruiser “Varyag“ (Slava-class) and the frigate “Marshal Shaposhnikov” (Udaloy-class destroyer, Reclassified as Frigate), has crossed the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and entered the Red Sea.

The Marshal Shaposhnikov has then arrived at Massawa, Eritrea, where it will stay until April 5th, commemorating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Russian Federation and Eritrea.

Russia's Pacific Fleet Frigate Arrives in Massawa

The Russian Pacific Fleet frigate, Marshal Shaposhnikov, arrived today, 28 March, for a five-day port call in Massawa, commemorating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Russian Federation and Eritrea.

Upon its… pic.twitter.com/AxQ7AvqQPH

— Ministry of Information, Eritrea (@shabait) March 28, 2024

We do not know the current whereabouts of the Varyag.

It is worth noting that the latter was long deployed in the Mediterranean in 2022, and we cannot exclude that indeed the pair of Russian ships is headed to Tartus to reinforce the Russian presence in the Mediterranean, now greatly reduced.

Slava class cruiser Varyag and Udaloy class frigate Marshal Shaposhinikov passed the Bab el Mandeb Strait and entered the Red Sea.
Both vessels could now be heading to the Mediterranean.https://t.co/uUpQ1X8UEW pic.twitter.com/1TOeHeRITG

— Frederik Van Lokeren (@KaptainLOMA) March 28, 2024