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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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