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OSINT Intelligence on Russian Naval & Maritime Operations
All Reports


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, 2025


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, 2025


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, 2025


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, 2025


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, 2025


Strategic Displacement: Russian Merchant Fleet Operations Beyond the Syrian Express
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
May 11, 2025


TARTUS - Remains a Key Hub as Russian Ro Ro Cargo Recover Military Equipment
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
May 6, 2025


Ro-Ro Cargo Ship "PATRIA", probable "Ex. Syrian Express" used for the transport of military equipment from Russia.
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
May 4, 2025


Russian Navy vessels in Algiers on 21 April 2025 - Analysis of GEOINT
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
Apr 25, 2025


Why does the RFN send a Vishnya class, with high SIGINT capabilities in MED?
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
Apr 24, 2025


Russian SUB Kilo class in MED SEA
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
Mar 31, 2025


EX Syrian Express - Vessel escorted by the RFN
The Syrian Express is the name used to describe the regular supply voyages through the Bosporus to Syria, in particular using amphibious warfare ships of the Russian Navy, that were made during the Syrian civil war (2011–2024). Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 the Turkish authorities were persuaded to implement terms of the Montreux convention, banning the passage of further military vessels through the Bosporus.( wikipedia.org ) In March 2024, Ukrainian nav
Mar 23, 2025


Frigate A. Grigorovich class and vessel ASCALON transit STROG.
The frigate Grigorovich did not pass by the STROG as did the vessel ASCALON (IMO:9198226 - Last contact 12 MAR near Malta - by @TiaFarris10 ) , they could still be in the MED. The weather conditions are favorable and considering the distance they could be in transit at this time. By @TiaFarris10 Dangerous manoeuvre in the sea by the Russian cargo ship ASCALON near a collision with a foreign cargo ship . Exclusive photos of the cargo ship ASCALON near Malta prove that th
Mar 16, 2025
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