top of page
OSINT Intelligence on Russian Naval & Maritime Operations
All Reports


Russia’s Shadow Fleet and the Role of Moran Security
Executive Summary Open sources reveal that Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers — originally built to evade Western sanctions — is being repurposed as a maritime hybrid warfare asset . Crucially, several tankers now carry private security personnel from Moran Security Group , many of whom are former Wagner Group operatives , embedding Russian influence and surveillance capabilities deep within ostensibly commercial vessels. caliber.az Shadow Fleet Overview Since
1 day ago


Russian Cargo Ship LADY MARIIA Docks in Oran Amid Possible Links with ADLER and Naval Base Activity
The Russian Ro-Ro cargo ship LADY MARIIA , built in 2000 and currently sailing under the Russian flag, continues to attract attention for its unusual movements across the Mediterranean. After a series of calls in Indian ports earlier this autumn, the vessel made a two-day stop north of Port Said, most likely for ship-to-ship refueling—an increasingly common maneuver among Russian-flagged vessels operating outside conventional logistics routes. Now LADY MARIIA has reached Ora
Nov 7


Sanctions Evasion in Focus: Sanctioned Russian Trader Heads for Strategic Tartus Hub
The East Mediterranean theatre remains a focal point for monitoring illicit shipping activity, particularly concerning vessels linked to sanctioned Russian entities. The general cargo ship S.KUZNETSOV (IMO 9210359), flagged under Russia and confirmed to be owned/operated by a US-sanctioned Russian company (OFAC designated), is currently executing a transit of significant intelligence concern. As of the latest reporting, the vessel is navigating the East Mediterranean at a sp
Nov 6


A cargo ship flagged to Antigua & Barbuda, HAV DOLPHIN (IMO 9073854), has been tracked sailing off the Spanish coast.
The cargo vessel HAV DOLPHIN , flagged to Antigua & Barbuda (IMO 9073854), has drawn renewed attention after altering its route in recent days. Initially tracked in the Baltic Sea—where Finnish authorities suspected it might be involved in covert surveillance operations—the ship has since changed course and is now bound for Fos-sur-Mer, France , before reportedly heading to Avilés, Spain , with an estimated arrival on November 14 . The HAV DOLPHIN, built in 1993, has been ob
Nov 6


Russian Sanctioned Vessel S. KUZNETSOV Set to Enter the Mediterranean: Strategic Arctic-to-Syria Supply Route Highlights Military Logistics Network
The Russian general cargo vessel S. KUZNETSOV (IMO 9210359) , operated by the Open Joint Stock Company Northern Shipping Company (OJSC “Severnoye Morskoe Parokhodstvo”) , is reportedly en route from Pevek (Chukotka, Arctic Russia) toward Tartus, Syria — a key Russian naval logistics hub in the eastern Mediterranean. The Northern Shipping Company , headquartered in Arkhangelsk , is a sanctioned entity identified as affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defence , notably en
Oct 27


The MV Lauga Case: Drones, Espionage, and Military Logistics on Strategic Maritime Routes
In recent months, the operational patterns of the MV Lauga (IMO 9111060) have attracted increased scrutiny from intelligence and maritime security analysts, particularly regarding its activity in the Ionian Sea and recurrent port calls along the West African coast. In September, the vessel conducted a transit through the Ionian Sea marked by an uncharacteristic course deviation and significant reduction in speed—maneuvers indicative of deliberate operational intent rather tha
Sep 24


Aging Russian Ro-Ro 'ADLER' Shows Signs of Wear as It Transports Military Cargo Across the Med
Published: September 7, 2025 In yet another display of the Russian Federation’s reliance on aging commercial vessels for military logistics, the Ro-Ro cargo ship ADLER (IMO 9179854) —a 27-year-old vessel flying the Russian flag —has resumed its westbound route after mechanical failures halted its mission in the Western Mediterranean. Ro-Ro cargo ship ADLER The Vessel: Aging Backbone of Shadow Supply Chains Built in 1998 , ADLER is operated by the
Sep 7


Russian Naval Escort Operation in the English Channel – Kulakov's Convoy and the Strategic Role of Protected Maritime Logistics
Date: August 19, 2025 On August 7, 2025, the Udaloy-class destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov exited the Baltic Sea via the Great Belt Strait, beginning a coordinated escort mission. Udaloy-class destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov exited the Baltic Sea Three days later, on August 10 at 12:50 UTC, the ship was visually confirmed in the Dover Strait after a 695-nautical-mile transit at 10 knots. August 10 at 12:50 UTC - Vice Admiral Kulakov - Dover Strait At the same time, two Rus
Aug 19


Breaking: Ukraine Delivers First Major Blow to Iran–Russia Drone Supply Chain by Striking Port Olya-4
Date: August 15, 2025 Category: Maritime Intelligence | Military Logistics | Sanctions Evasion Summary On August 14, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces reportedly struck the Russian cargo vessel Port Olya-4 (IMO: 9481934, Flag: Russia) in the Caspian Sea near the port of Olya, Astrakhan region. The vessel was allegedly carrying munitions and drone components—specifically linked to Iran’s Shahed drone program—en route from Iran. If confirmed, this marks the first known
Aug 15


Unveiling the Silent Shadow in the Eastern Mediterranean: An Analysis of Tug 119 and the Kilo II Submarine
The waters of the Eastern Mediterranean have long been a stage for military maneuvers, and a recent maritime intelligence analysis has focused on an unusual but significant duo: the Tug 119 and the Russian diesel-electric Kilo II-class submarine, the Novorossisk . Although the submarine's precise location is unknown, it is presumed to be operating within the support radius of the Tug 119, which acts as a "silent shadow," providing essential logistical support. Following the
Aug 7


Russian Naval Escort Operation – August 5, 2025
A Russian military convoy is currently underway in the Mediterranean exit zone, west of Tenes, Algeria, involving: 🔹 SPARTA (Russian-flagged merchant vessel) 🔹 GENERAL SKOBELEV (Russian-flagged tanker/oil vessel) 🔹 DADNA BASE / BOIKY 532 (Steregushchiy-class corvette, Russian Navy) According to AIS tracking data, the Steregushchiy-class corvette Boiky (hull number 532) is actively escorting the merchant vessel SPARTA and the tanker GENERAL SKOBELEV as the group tran
Aug 5


Strategic Intelligence Assessment: MV Lauga's Operations in West Africa
The Russian-flagged general cargo vessel MV Lauga (IMO 9111060), constructed in 1994, has recently conducted port calls in West African locations such as Conakry (Guinea), Bissau (Guinea-Bissau), and Cotonou (Benin). These ports have been associated with activities involving Russian private military companies (PMCs) and the transport of military equipment. While there is no direct evidence linking MV Lauga to Russian governmental or Ministry of Defence entities, the vesse
Aug 5


Russian Shadow Fleet: Current Intelligence Assessment
Premise: Monitoring and Tracking Systems In the current operational environment, monitoring the Russian shadow fleet is a strategic priority for international maritime security. There's an intensifying reliance on specialized databases such as " sketchy.boats ," a dedicated platform that allows for the verification and inclusion of potentially suspicious vessels identified as part of the shadow fleet. This tool is a critical asset for naval intelligence , enabling the crowds
Jul 30


Russia’s Shifting Maritime Logistics: The Case of LADY D and the Post-Syria Strategic Realignment
As Russia adapts to its declining presence in Syria, the logistical footprint of its maritime operations is evolving — and the case of the LADY D exemplifies this transformation. Currently stationary just north of Port Said, the sanctioned Russian-flagged merchant vessel, which departed the Baltic in late May 2025, presents a key indicator of how Moscow is reconfiguring its military and strategic supply chains across the broader Indo-Pacific axis. Strategic Maritime Reach: R
Jun 11


Baltic Leader En Route to Benghazi: Indicators of Renewed Russian Strategic Logistics in North Africa
The Russian-flagged merchant vessel Baltic Leader , previously sanctioned for its involvement in illicit arms transfers, is currently on a south-easterly course toward the Libyan coast. As of 11 June 2025 at 11:43 UTC, the vessel was located at coordinates 34.2828°N, 15.6258°E, maintaining a heading of 133° at a speed of 9.4 knots. Estimated time of arrival (ETA) at the port of Benghazi is 12 June 2025 at 14:55 UTC. The Baltic Leader is operated by MG-Flot LLC and leased via
Jun 11


Logistics in the Gray Zone: Sanctioned Russian Merchant Ships Deliver Armor to Africa Corps via Conakry
Russia continues to refine and expand its maritime logistics strategy in West Africa, using sanctioned merchant vessels to conduct discreet military shipments to allied regimes. The latest delivery of Russian armored assets—broadcast on Malian state television and including Spartak APCs and other tactical vehicles—appears to mark the third successful military transfer via sea since January 2025 , utilizing a logistical route through Guinea’s Port of Conakry . This trend unde
Jun 4


Russia’s Dual Maritime Gambit: Corvette Boikiy in Nigeria and Cargo Ship Siyanie Severa in Bata Signal Expanding Naval Diplomacy in West Africa
Recent Russian naval movements involving a Steregushchiy-class corvette Boikiy (532) and the merchant vessel SIYANIE SEVERA (IMO: 9250385, General Cargo Ship) highlight Moscow’s growing use of integrated maritime operations—combining military and civilian assets—to project power and reinforce strategic partnerships in the Gulf of Guinea. A Corvette and a Cargo Ship: Strategic Messaging at Sea In recent days, military analysts have observed a notable Russian naval maneuver of
Jun 1


Russia’s Shadow Fleet in the Baltic: Hybrid Threat to NATO Maritime Security
Heightened Tensions in the Baltic Sea In recent days, Russia’s Baltic Fleet has launched large-scale exercises involving over 20 warships and 3,000 personnel , marking a significant escalation in regional naval activity. More critically, Russian naval forces have begun actively escorting shadow fleet oil tankers , a move that signals a strategic shift in Moscow’s maritime posture—placing increased emphasis on the protection of commercial and strategic economic interests. T
May 30


Commercial Intrusion or Geopolitical Trap? Russia’s Tartus Base Under Silent Pressure"
U.S. Sanctions Eased to Enable Emirati Entry On May 14, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump described his meeting with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia as "great," referring to him as a "real leader." This high-level diplomatic engagement resulted in the partial easing of U.S. sanctions on Syria , with a focus on revitalizing infrastructure, port operations, and trade. Key measures included the issuance of General License No. 24 (GL 24) , authorizing limited eng
May 21


Shadow Support: Assessing the Role of the Churov in Russian Submarine Operations
The Tug SB-921 Evgeniy Churov The Tug SB-921 Evgeniy Churov The SB-921 Evgeniy Churov is a Sliva-class (Project 712) ocean-going tug of the Russian Navy, designed to provide at-sea logistical and rescue support. It has frequently been observed escorting Russian submarines, including Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines (SSKs) such as the Krasnodar and Novorossiysk . Its presence in the Mediterranean, as reported in recent updates, may indicate a support role for Russian na
May 16
bottom of page