The vessel LAUGA remains near the Spanish coast after deviating from its original route to St. Petersburg. Initial analysis suggests potential ISR-related activity. It’s likely waiting for improved sea conditions off Gibraltar, though suspicious activity cannot be ruled out.

The LAUGA is still hanging around the Spanish coast 🤔 Submarine cables

Cargo vessel *LAUGA* (IMO 9111060) has shifted course toward the Spanish coast and stopped. Unclear why, but in the Ionian Sea it performed suspicious maneuvers—incl. suspected drone launch activity—suggesting possible covert ops or rendezvous. Still officially listed en route to St. Petersburg.

On 21 Sept, Russian frigate RFS Neustrashimy was spotted in the English Channel escorting the merchant vessel Sparta IV, part of the Syrian Express. Today, 24 Sept, Neustrashimy is transiting southbound through the Danish straits with visible force protection on deck.

Update ANGI …🤔

Tanker ANGI (Maltese flag) en route to Libya, ETA Sept 29. First observed vessel heading there after recent Russia–LNA talks. Possible shift in energy or logistics coordination. @spectrecrouton.bsky.social

Sparta-4, loaded with V-series containers and likely bound for Tartus, spotted in the English Channel with tanker Angi. Both under escort by frigate Neustrashimy. Setup recalls the Skobelev convoy. Unclear if Neustrashimy continues into the Med or hands off to Steregushchy. @pa.nton.cx

The Russian Ro-Ro *ADLER* has been anchored off Oran for over 10 days after a stop at Mers El Kebir. Today, it was resupplied by the tanker *KENADSA*, suggesting it's preparing to depart. The delay highlights the risks of using aging vessels for covert arms transfers. @claudialanz.bsky.social

Russian vessel LAUGA (IMO 9111060) showed unusual behavior in the Ionian Sea. On Sept 4 and again on Sept 18, it deviated north in the same area with AIS turned off. Both deviations occurred near undersea cable infrastructure. Pattern suggests possible deliberate subsea activity.

The Russian KAMA tanker (MMSI 273540290) has just entered the MED. It currently appears to be heading to its usual anchorage near Al Hoceima. We'll see the implications and the support activities for Russian ships in the MED.

Merchant vessel LAUDA departed Istanbul after visiting African ports likely connected to Russian PMCs. Draft changed from 3.5m to 3.3m during stop, indicating ~325 tons discharged. Cargo unknown but weight consistent with military equipment/vehicles given recent trafficking patterns.

The Russian vessel RUSLANA made a brief stop at Mers El Kebir, too short for refueling or major logistics. Likely recovered cargo previously left by Ro-Ro ADLER. Arrival estimated around September 23, possibly heading to the Russian naval base in Tartus.

Low-resolution SAT imagery highlights the presence of the Novorossiysk and Grebelsky along the pier, and an intrusion barrier is visible, placed to protect the SUB. This precaution is not observed with other vessels, perhaps due to their lack of force protection capabilities.

⚠️ Algerian tug ZABANA AHMED II (IMO 9593385) alongside Russian Ro-Ro ADLER off Oran. ADLER was recently towed to Mers El Kebir (military zone). Possible return or prep for STS transfer. Russian cargo ship RUSLANA (IMO 9352339) arriving from St. Petersburg tomorrow. 🧭 High alert

🛰️ Ongoing: Russian-flagged cargo vessel RUSLANA (IMO 9352339) currently transiting West Mediterranean at 10.1 knots, en route to Mers El Kébir — ETA Sep 17, 08:00. Noteworthy: coincides with Ro-Ro ADLER activity in same AO. Increased 🇷🇺 logistical footprint near Algeria merits monitoring

The Algerian M/T TOLGA Oil Products tanker is refueling vessels (SSG Novorossijsk kilo II class and the tug MB-119 Grebelsky) in the port of Algiers.

🚨 On Sept 14, a 🇷🇺 Russian Navy detachment from the Black Sea & Baltic Fleets docked in #Algiers: — Kilo-class sub Novorossiisk — Rescue ship Lakov Grebelskii Port call runs through Sept 18. Move likely tied to naval diplomacy & joint training agenda with 🇩🇿. #Russia #Algeria #Mediterranean

🇷🇺 RF Navy rotation in Danish Straits: Udaloy I *Vitse-Admiral Kulakov* southbound 12 Sep, in Baltiysk 13 Sep. *Naro-Fominsk* northbound early 14 Sep after \~9 Sep departure. Probable patrol swap. Deterrence posture evident. h/t @spectrecrouton.bsky.social

Russian Ro-Ro ADLER docked overnight at Mers El Kebir’s military port—likely offloading strategic cargo. Now anchored off Oran. Possible link to Steregushchiy-class 532 or a shadowing merchant. Movement merits scrutiny. #OSINT #Russia #Mediterranean #NavalIntel

⚓️ In Zapad-2025, Russia's Northern Fleet conducted a hypersonic strike drill in the Barents Sea. A Zircon missile launched from Admiral Golovko, cued by a Tu-142, successfully destroyed a maritime target with a direct hit. This was more than an exercise—it was a calibrated signal to NATO.

Following a Ukrainian drone strike, a Russian Shadow Fleet tanker is burning near the Primorsk port in the Leningrad region, with spilled oil washing up on the shore. @pa.nton.cx @claudialanz.bsky.social

11 Sep, 17:00 UTC: Tug ZABANA AHMED II took over tow of ro-ro ADLER from Spanish tug ROMA. By 18:27 UTC, vessel relocated to Mers El Kebir naval base. On 12 Sep, 10:52 UTC, ZABANA moved ADLER back to anchorage off Oran by 14:07 UTC.

ADLER has just been towed out of the navy port Mers El Kebir and is now at anchor off Oran.

Russian Ro-Ro vessel ADLER detached from tug ROMA and proceeded to the military port of Mers El Kebir, while ROMA docked in the commercial zone of Oran. ADLER’s direct mooring at the military facility strongly suggests offloading of sensitive or strategic cargo. @spotkanienamesie.bsky.social

General cargo vessel OCEAN CARRIER 3 (NO) IMO 9366146 - very likely Russian crew - doing funny things in Biscay. Vessel is enr from Gemlik/Turkiye to Nordenham/Germany. Keeping an eye on vessels with likely Russian crew after recent espionage incidents like HAV DOLPHIN and SCANLARK...

🇷🇺🇧🇾 Zapad-2025 (12–16 Sept) isn’t just a drill. It simulates NATO strikes, nuclear response, and force projection near borders. Belarus redeployments suggest preparation for real operations. Watch for provocations after the exercise. This is a rehearsal, not routine. censor.net/ru/news/3573...

Russian Navy Buyan-M class corvette (Project 21631), hull number 595, transited the Danish Straits. Likely armed with Kalibr-NK cruise missiles. Movement suggests possible redeployment or signaling. Monitoring continues.

The Russian merchant vessel ADLER is waiting to enter Oran port, being towed by the Spanish tug Roma. Its docking choice—Algerian commercial, work, or military (Mers el Kebir)—could reveal if the cargo is meant for Algeria or headed onward to Tartus. @claudialanz.bsky.social

The vessel LAUGA (IMO 9111060), near key transport hubs, enables discreet offloading of materials and personnel via nearby airfields. Having docked in Cotonou and Bissau, where Russian military and PMC presence is growing, it likely supports Moscow’s expanding operations in West Africa.

Don't know why but this ID of 🇷🇺 Project 04690 tugboat BUK-2190 had been bothering me. Turns out rightfully so: it's erroneous. It's actually a Project 705BM harbor tug. The only one of the class known to be in the Black Sea is RB-371. Representative pic of Project 705BM RB-60.

#Scanlark is a 40y old general cargo ship. It belongs to the 🇪🇪 Estonian shipping company Vista Shipagent, is flagged 🇻🇨 St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and was en route from Rotterdam to Finland. The German “Täglicher Hafenbericht” reports unconfirmed information that the crew is from 🇷🇺 Russia. 3/

Russian tanker KAMA, from Murmansk, is ~140nm off Trondheim and ~20nm north of AKADEMIK GUBKIN (ex Ust-Luga, Sep 1). Likely underway replenishment expected. KAMA may proceed southbound post-RAS, possibly redeploying to Med to replace VYAZMA. @claudialanz.bsky.social @maritimekiwi.bsky.social

Is the aging Russian Ro-Ro cargo ship, ADLER, still fit for purpose? It's currently transporting military cargo across the Mediterranean amidst some wear concerns. rfnosblog.wixsite.com/news/post/ag...

"The cargo is the second from the sanctioned project to dock in China after sanctioned tanker Arctic Mulan arrived at the Beihai LNG terminal in late August." gcaptain.com/second-known...

I could be late to the game, but it looks like there is a new circle spoofer just outside the berths at Ust-Luga.

Update: Tug ROMA (IMO 8012279) supported Russian Ro-Ro ADLER. This is the last known location. Destination: Oran, Reported ETA: September 9, 7:00 AM

Update: The tug Roma has reached the RO-RO vessel Adler, and towing operations have commenced. The convoy is now underway, heading towards the likely destination of Oran. Further updates will follow as the situation develops. @claudialanz.bsky.social @spectrecrouton.bsky.social

Lt. Gen. Khalid Haftar (LNA) met Russian Def. Min. Belousov in Moscow (5 SEP) to discuss regional developments and military cooperation. Assessment: A Russian naval presence in LNA-held Cyrenaica is increasingly likely—monitor Tobruk/Benghazi for upcoming deployments.

🚨Tug *ROMA* (IMO 8012279) supported Russian Ro-Ro *ADLER*. After drop-off N of Hoceima, it likely returns to tow her to Oran, Algeria. If confirmed, this suggests Russia avoids inspection & opts for repairs in a friendly port—significant OPSEC/red flag. @covertshores.bsky.social

Sanctioned Russian ro-ro ADLER transited eastbound through the STROG under tow by Spanish tug ROMA following mechanical failure off Portugal. Currently stationary ~80 NM SE of Gibraltar. Tow and breakdown may expose or compromise sensitive Russian materiel onboard.

@sarahkirchberger.bsky.social t.me/operline_ru/...

RF Navy Baltic Fleet Steregushchiy-class corvette "Boykiy" arrived in Algiers, Algeria, on 31 August; ship has been deployed since 28 June 2025

Update: More difficulties for ADLER and tug ROMA... The came to a stop north of Al Hoceima.

The northern tanker "Vyazma" returned to Murmansk after a 10-month long voyage, most of which was spent in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Russian cargo ship Luaga (IMO 9111060), after stops in Conakry and Cotonou—both linked to shadow military logistics—now heads northeast off Sicily, diverting from a direct route to Turkey.

🚢 The Russian cargo ship STARGAZER has recently visited an unusual mix of ports: 🇪🇬Alexandria, 🇹🇷Mersin & Iskenderun, 🇮🇱Haifa, and 🇷🇺remote Russian ports like Pevek, Ekonomiya & Arkhangelsk. Now heading back to Arkhangelsk. This vessel must be monitored. #maritime #AIS