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Italy Tracks Russian Kilo-Class Submarine Armed With Kalibr Missiles Near Sicily
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
The Italian Navy is closely monitoring the movements of a Russian submarine group in the central Mediterranean as part of a broader NATO surveillance mission, according to Army Recognition on January 27.
According to a statement from NATO Maritime Command published on January 26, the Carlo Bergamini-class frigate ITS Virginio Fasan is conducting sustained tracking of the Russian Krasnodar, a Project 636.3 Improved Kilo-class submarine.
The submarine is operating under escort by the Severomorsk, a Udaloy-class destroyer, along with additional Russian support ships.
We are watching 👀
— NATO Maritime Command (@NATO_MARCOM) January 26, 2026
In the Mediterranean Sea, #SNMG2 ship 🇮🇹 ITS Virginio Fasan monitors and shadows the Russian Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar, with escorts including Russian destroyer Severomorsk, demonstrating NATO’s vigilance, situational awareness, and commitment to security… pic.twitter.com/SB6OWSEvt6
The activity is part of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) operations, a permanent multinational force tasked with maritime situational awareness, freedom of navigation, and collective defense across NATO’s southern flank. SNMG2 typically operates in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea and forms part of the NATO Response Force.
The Russian submarine Krasnodar is equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles and is known for its reduced acoustic signature, making it a difficult target for anti-submarine assets. Its escort, Severomorsk, is designed for anti-submarine warfare and features onboard helicopters and sensor arrays.
The Italian frigate Virginio Fasan, built under the FREMM program, is optimized for anti-submarine warfare, outfitted with advanced sonar systems, torpedoes, and integrated air defense. Italy’s growing role in NATO’s naval posture includes not only frontline warships but also command and logistical contributions, according to Army Recognition.
The Russian formation was last observed southeast of Sicily, heading eastward. According to Army Recognition, the submarine group may be en route to the Russian naval facility in Tartus, Syria.
Since its involvement in Syrian operations beginning in 2017, the Krasnodar has played a visible role in projecting Russian maritime power beyond its traditional operational zones.
In 2026, such deployments are increasingly interpreted as part of a strategy to challenge NATO’s regional maritime influence and collect intelligence near critical assets, such as submarine cables and energy facilities.
Earlier in January, Italian authorities detained a Tuvalu-flagged cargo ship in the port of Brindisi for allegedly transporting over 33,000 tons of Russian metal in violation of EU sanctions.
The vessel—believed to be the HIZIR REIS—had concealed its stop in Novorossiysk by deactivating its AIS and falsifying documents, prompting a criminal investigation by Italian customs and financial police.
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