Today the Russian Ropuchas were active. One of the Baltic Fleet's ships 130 Konolev made her northbound passage. It's the first time she was deployed in this region and first time she will take part in cargo hauling to Syria. Another ship that we have not seen for a long time was the south bound... Continue Reading →

We had witnessed a lot of Russian naval traffic in the last 4 days. First the landing ships Azov and Novocharkassk returned from their Mediterranean deployment on Sunday. Immediately one day later a new couple of landing ships Alexander Shabalin and Alexander Otrakovski  were observed making a southbound passage. And today the flagship of the Black Sea... Continue Reading →

We had a lovely weekend for ship spotters in Istanbul. On Saturday, the Russian landing ships Alexander Otrakovski and Alexander Shabalin made their northbound passage. The ships seem to be loaded. That is of course my speculation. But if they were loaded what would they be bringing back on their Syrian Express deployment? Shortly after... Continue Reading →

  Date Number Name Direction Nationality 20.5.2015 151 Azov Southbound Russia 20.5.2015 142 Novocharkassk Southbound Russia 19.5.2015 808 Pytliviy Southbound Russia 15.5.2015 121 Moskva Southbound Russia 14.5.2015 547 Linyi Southbound China 14.5.2015 109 Weifang Southbound China 14.5.2015 616 Samum Southbound Russia 12.5.2015 151 Azov Northbound China 12.5.2015 142 Novocharkassk Northbound China 4.5.2015 547 Linyi Northbound... Continue Reading →

Last couple of days we had an increased activity here in Istanbul. First, on 12 May 2015 the ever-present Russian landing ships Novocharkassk and Azov returned from another Mediterranean trip. Two days later the much publicized visit of the PLAN ships 550 Weifang and 547 Linyi in the Black Sea has ended. The Jiangkai II (type 054A) class... Continue Reading →

  Today as a rare occasion, we have witnessed two warships from Peoples Republic of China passing through the Bosphorus. Two Jiangkai II (type 054A) class frigates 550 Weifang and 547 Linyi from PLAN North Sea Fleet made a northbound passage through the Turkish Straits. The destination of these Chinese ships were not disclosed. It is... Continue Reading →

On 28 April 2015 two Russian Ropucha class large landing ships, Alexander Otrakovski and Alexander Shabalin returned from their Mediterranean deployment. Date Number Name Direction Nationality 28.4.2015 031 Alexander Otrakovski Northbound Russia 28.4.2015 110 Alexander Shabalin Northbound Russia 17.4.2015 031 Alexander Otrakovski Southbound Russia 17.4.2015 110 Alexander Shabalin Southbound Russia 14.4.2015 109 USS USS Jason Dunham Southbound USA... Continue Reading →

  On 17 April 2015 two Russian Ropucha class large landing ships, Alexander Otrakovski and Alexander Shabalin made their southbound passage through Bosphorus. This is the first time that two Alexander's are sailing in group. Date Number Name Direction Nationality 17.4.2015 031 Alexander Otrakovski Southbound Russia 17.4.2015 110 Alexander Shabalin Southbound Russia 14.4.2015 109 USS USS Jason... Continue Reading →