Ocean going tugs can push barges loaded with all sorts of things. And not draft a lot of water.Actually a good move, and cost effective.
Just pondering strategic events that are forming a deadly noose surrounding Israel . Obama regimes timeline of clandestine regional military / monetary sponsorship to Islamic jihadis .. Nearly show time .
It may well be that the tugs are needed in case any of the larger Russian landing craft don’t have the ooomph to back off the beach. OTOH, Russian naval craft have frequently been observed towing eachother which tells you a lot about the durability and skills of the crews.