I Am Shocked, Shocked ...

 ... I am telling you. 

Russia has no warships deployed in the Mediterranean Sea for the first time in a decade, the latest example of how much Moscow is exerting itself after almost four and a half years of full-scale war in Ukraine. The last two Russian military ships in the Mediterranean Sea left the area on June 26, 2026, a NATO official told Newsweek, speaking on a condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject matter. The ships’ exit marks the first time since 2016 that Russia’s military hasn’t had a naval presence in the Mediterranean, and it points to the strain Moscow is under with its bruising war effort in eastern Europe, as the conflict churns on with no end in sight.

Of course this "anonymous NATO official" is some BSer who wouldn't know shit from shinola or maybe some staff BSer from Newsweek pulling a nothing (shit) burger out of his (her) ass. The explanation is simple and rather trivial--Russian Navy is actively involved in escort operations for Russia's tankers and its is in and out of Med. But desperate losers in NATO grasp even at non-events trying to cover up NATO being exposed as a paper tiger and combined West as an obsolete military force. 

Which really corresponds well to this: 

European countries intend to dispose of the seized Russian oil without transferring the proceeds to its owners, the corresponding decision was published in the official journal of the European Union, RIA Novosti reports. Prior to the adoption of a new package of sanctions, the embargo prohibited the purchase, import and transportation of Russian energy resources, but there was no mechanism for selling goods without transferring profits to the owner. The new amendments introduce this possibility for the first time. The mechanism will allow European countries to withdraw confiscated products from the ban, sell them to third parties and keep the proceeds for themselves.

Here it is--thievery, they always were like this. I mean Europe. Robbery for weak, thievery from strong. That is why Russian Navy is constantly on the move, because Euro cowards dare only to stop civilian vessels. Which also brings one of the most critical naval tasks--escort and convoy operations--to the fore.