Russia loses its Red Sea foothold, Ukrainian intelligence reports

According to Ukrinform, this was reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.

Russia explained the shutdown of the project, which envisioned the deployment of up to 300 military personnel and four ships for 25 years with the possibility of extension, by citing the escalation of the civil conflict in Sudan.

This has become a significant strategic blow for Moscow. Port Sudan had been considered a key element for ensuring Russia’s permanent presence in the Indian Ocean, for controlling the Red Sea, and for maintaining access to the Suez Canal area.

The base was expected to become Russia’s first full-scale naval facility in Africa since the collapse of the USSR.

However, even if the project is implemented, the capabilities of the russian fleet remain limited by the war against Ukraine.

This is reflected in the sharp decline in Russian activity in the Mediterranean: in recent months it has been reduced to occasional sorties of a single Project 877/636 submarine.

The cause, analysts say, is the loss of access to the port of Tartus in Syria, which previously ensured repairs and logistics for the Russian naval group. For comparison, in 2018 Russia maintained at least two submarines and around ten surface ships there.

“Against this background, the Kremlin is shifting its focus to the Baltic Sea and the Arctic. The suspension of the project in Port Sudan demonstrates the RF’s limited resources for expanding its foreign military infrastructure in wartime and weakens its position in Africa,” the intelligence service noted.

As reported by Ukrinform, the Russian economy is becoming increasingly dependent on exports of energy resources and metals, most of which are sold to China.

Photo: AA