All Reports

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

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

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

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

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

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

Russia has increasingly relied on its merchant fleet to discreetly transport weapons and military equipment to countries where it maintains strategic and economic interests.  These unofficial maritime supply routes are frequently used to support allied regimes or conflict zones in Africa and the Middle East, often circumventing international oversight and sanctions. Civilian vessels—flagged under Russia or using flags of convenience—carry cargo destined for both state militar

Current situation We have reached the fifth group of Vessels (Cargo - Tanker) sent to Syria by Russia for the recovery of military equipment in the former Russian Naval Base in TARTUS. The group definitely outside the Syrian port is still composed of the Russian Cargo Vessel SPARTA IV and the Oil Tanker GENERAL SKOBELEV while a few nautical miles outside the port is the frigate Admiral GRIGOROVICH , which escorted them there. The corvette SOOBRAZITELNIY , the VIKTOR LEONOV a

The Ro Ro Cargo “PATRIA” left Baltiysk, Russia, on 30.04.2025 for an unknown destination. The merchant ship is sailing together with the MV Siyane Severa and both are escorted by the Russian corvette Boikiy 532, Stereghchiy class. Given the way in which the transit is taking place, under escort, it is assumed that the merchant ships are heading towards Syria to recover the remaining Russian military material present in the Naval Base of TARTUS (ex. Syrian Express). The vessel

Spectacular SAT image of Algiers. It looks like they have placed an anti-intrusion barrier. If so, it would be the first time that a naval asset of the RFN in port has feared being attacked. This is the first time a RFN submarine has been in a foreign port since the loss of the Naval Base in TARTUS, Syria. At the moment it is not confirmed that it is an anti-intrusion barrier, in fact it could also be an anti-pollution barrier . If so, we can say that the submarine has refuel

Viktor Leonov CCB-175, Vishnya-class Since April 14, 2025, the Russian Navy's Vishnya-class AGI Viktor Leonov (CCB 175) has entered the Mediterranean ( @key2med ). - From April 16 to 19, 2025 , it made a stopover in the port of Algiers. - From April 19 , it continued its navigation along the Spanish coast, before sailing on along the French coast ( @TiaFarris10 ). Viktor Leonov navigation along the Spanish coast The previous visit to the Mediterranean dates back to November

Since December 2024, the RFN no longer has a naval base in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite this particular situation, the RFN decides to send ships and submarines in the Mediterranean. The naval presence allows to maintain open economic and logistic relations with the partner countries of Russia which are bordering on the Mediterranean. It also allows control of traffic to and from the Black Sea by Russian vessels. At this time of transition, the RFN benefits from the support