Russia now has no submarines in the Mediterranean Sea in yet another blow to Moscow's military muscle following the loss of its naval base in Syria. Syrian rebels overtook Damascus, toppling over the decades-long authoritarian regime of disgraced President Bashar al-Assad who fled to Russia and was granted asylum on humanitarian grounds.

The Portuguese navy reported that their aviation spotted a Russian submarine in the Mediterranean Sea near Gibraltar. It was likely the B-261 Novorossiysk, withdrawn from the Tartus base in Syria. After the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime,

The Portuguese Navy has reported that its air force observed a Russian submarine in the Mediterranean Sea near Gibraltar. The submarine is believed to be the B-261 Novorossiysk, which has been withdrawn from the Tartus base in Syria.