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In recent months, the cargo vessel Sparta IV  has been observed operating along strategic routes from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean, transporting high-value and potentially sensitive material. Unlike conventional merchant vessels such as Lady Mariia  or Ascalon , which operate without dedicated escorts, Sparta IV has consistently transited under naval protection , indicating that Russia actively prioritizes and monitors cargo it considers strategic or delicate. Analysis

1. Strategic Context and Geopolitical Significance The Red Sea corridor, anchored by the Republic of Djibouti, serves as one of the most volatile and critical maritime chokepoints in the global economy, connecting the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean. Djibouti’s unique concentration of international military bases and commercial ports makes it a focal point for global power projection and a primary node for monitoring maritime domain awareness (MDA) gaps.

Executive Summary Open-source maritime tracking data in mid-February 2026 indicates the westward transit of a Russian naval task grouping through the Central Mediterranean toward the Strait of Gibraltar. The formation included the landing ship RFS Aleksandr Otrakovsky  operating in proximity to the commercially flagged cargo vessel S parta IV . (By @key2med) Concurrently, commercial GNSS monitoring platforms recorded significant GPS degradation across portions of the Alboran

1. Vessel Identification and Technical-Logistical Profile In the context of modern hybrid warfare , monitoring Russian industrial fishing vessels has become a national security imperative. These units often operate in the “ Grey Zone ,” leveraging legitimate commercial activities as cover for surveillance and reconnaissance operations . The dual-use nature of these vessels directly challenges the sovereignty of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and the integrity of critical u

Analytical Summary Satellite imagery and AIS tracking suggest a probable consolidation of Russian military presence in eastern Libya, with Tobruk emerging as a key logistical hub . The Russian cargo ship Mys Zhelaniya , subject to international sanctions, was observed offloading heavy equipment in January 2026. Subsequently, in the Black Sea, the vessel’s behavior – prolonged loitering and low-speed maneuvers – is consistent with probable experimental testing activity , poten

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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