The Nevsky Shipyard, a subsidiary of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, has floated out the Project 23130 medium sea tanker Aleksey Shein for the Russian Navy.
The ceremony, attended by Navy Main Command representatives and shipyard officials, marks another step in Moscow’s expansion of its naval logistics capabilities.
This development occurs against a backdrop of increasing militarization of Russian maritime assets.
Handelsavisen previously reported that a Gazprom-operated gas tanker was fitted with heavy machine guns, marking the first known instance of such weaponry being mounted on a civilian Russian vessel.
The float-out of a dedicated naval replenishment vessel underscores the strategic shift toward integrating military support functions into broader maritime operations.
The Aleksey Shein is designed to provide fuel and logistical support to naval units at sea, enhancing the endurance and operational range of the Russian fleet.