Russian fleet's covert mission: Military retrieval from Syria
Sparta IV is another Russian transport ship heading to the Syrian port of Tartus to retrieve military equipment left behind by the Russians following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime last December. On Sunday, the ship was off the eastern coast of Sicily, as reported by MarineTraffic data.
Meanwhile, other Russian container ships, loaded with weapons from Syria, have left the Mediterranean Sea and are heading north along the western coast of Portugal.
This fleet includes two landing ships, Ivan Gren and Aleksandr Otrakovski, as well as the tanker General Skobelev. In the Atlantic Ocean, they were joined by the British fast patrol boat HMS Cutlass, tasked with protecting the waters of Gibraltar.
Convoy under surveillance
The Russian convoy in the Mediterranean Sea was constantly monitored by NATO aircraft and drones. It was likely also tracked by two nuclear-powered submarines: the American USS Indiana and the British HMS Anson. These submarines passed through the Strait of Gibraltar several times in January and February.
The absence of the two Russian frigates, Admiral Grigorovich and Admiral Golovko, which previously assisted Sparta and Sparta II, may suggest that they are now escorting Sparta IV on its journey to Syria. After loading the military equipment, they are likely to accompany it on the voyage back west.
