Russia, Stretched by Ukraine, Pulls All Warships From Mediterranean Sea
Summary
Russia has withdrawn all its warships from the Mediterranean Sea for the first time since 2016. This move reflects the pressure on Russia’s military as its war with Ukraine continues and its resources are stretched.Key Facts
- The last two Russian military ships left the Mediterranean on June 26, 2026.
- Russia usually keeps ships in the Mediterranean to balance NATO’s naval presence and supports its only naval base there, in Tartus, Syria.
- Russia pulled most forces from Syria after its ally, Bashar al-Assad, fled in 2024.
- Russian ships use the Mediterranean to access the Black Sea through Turkish-controlled straits, but Turkey has blocked Russian warships since the war in Ukraine began in 2022.
- Ukraine has damaged or destroyed about one-third of Russia’s Black Sea fleet using drones.
- Ukraine has increased attacks on Russian cargo ships and naval bases, including strikes as far as near St. Petersburg.
- Russia’s surface navy is considered old and limited in strength compared to its submarine fleet.
- Russia accused Ukraine of attacking a sanctioned Russian natural gas ship in the Mediterranean in March 2026.
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