Russian Pacific Fleet ships Varyag & Marshal Shaposhnikov enter Red Sea after Suez canal passage.

According to information published by the Russian MoD on July 17, 2024, a task group from the Russian Pacific Fleet, including the missile cruiser Varyag and the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, has successfully passed through the Suez Canal and entered the Red Sea.
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Project 1164 Atlant or Slava-class cruiser Varyag. (Picture source: Russian MoD)

The task group's long-range deployment began in January of this year. Since then, the Pacific Fleet ships have conducted numerous combat training exercises and daily operations at sea. The group has also made port calls in India, Iran, Qatar, Sri Lanka, and Eritrea.

In late June, the Pacific Fleet concluded a bilateral exercise involving various force groupings in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan, and the Sea of Okhotsk. The exercise featured a simulated amphibious landing on the Kuril Islands by forces from the Northeast Russia Joint Command, which was successfully repelled by the Pacific Fleet's tactical ship groups.

Russian Naval diplomacy

One prominent aspect of Russian naval diplomacy is its increasing involvement in the Mediterranean and North Africa. Russia has utilized its naval base in Tartus, Syria, as a logistical hub to supply military equipment to Libya, where it supports General Khalifa Haftar.

This support includes the deployment of combat aircraft and ground forces, such as the Wagner Group, to bolster Haftar's position. The port of Tobruk in Libya has become a critical gateway for funneling weapons to other African nations, enhancing Russia's footprint on the continent​​.

In the Pacific, Russia is focusing on rejuvenating its naval presence. The Pacific Fleet has seen the commissioning of several new vessels, including nuclear-powered submarines and conventional warships.

This modernization aims to counterbalance China’s growing naval capabilities and strengthen Russia’s maritime presence in the region. Notable activities include joint naval exercises with China and other regional powers, signaling Russia's intent to be a significant player in the Indo-Pacific theater​.

The updated Russian Naval Doctrine, signed in 2022, reflects a strategic shift towards confronting the West and enhancing naval capabilities globally. It emphasizes the militarization of international waters, particularly in the Arctic and Pacific, while maintaining a strong presence in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.