**MYS ZHELANIYA** displays anomalous behavior: low speed (~2 knots) and circular maneuvers inconsistent with commercial traffic. AIS indicated a Sevastopol call, but the vessel is now loitering in the central Black Sea. Declared destination unchanged; movements remain suspicious.

The LR2 tanker Progress (IMO 9306627), EU/UK-sanctioned and linked to the #shadowFleet, is adrift off Algeria after deviating from its route. Declared “Not under command,” carrying ~730,000 bbl of Urals toward Suez. Likely mechanical, but timing suspicious amid French interdictions.

Russian merchant vessel *Kapitan Danilkin* has acted as a de facto naval logistics unit, moving suspected military cargo along Syrian Express–like routes. After calls in Guinea, Turkey, and Algeria, it returned to the Baltic and may redeploy to the Mediterranean.

🚨🚨🚨The vessel MYS ZHELANIYA is located about 8 NM east of Tobruk, despite declaring Port Said as destination. Its course suggests Tobruk. The vessel SPARTA IV is operating offshore and escorting it, indicating Russia’s growing open cooperation with Libya, including military transfers.

Russian-flagged MYS ZHELANIYA (IMO 9366110) is officially bound for Port Said (ETA 19 Jan 00:00), but its AIS track runs unusually close to the Libyan coast. Given past links to Libyan ports, a possible stop at Tobruk cannot be excluded and warrants monitoring.

Russian-flagged SPARTA IV (IMO 9743033) is transiting the Eastern Mediterranean alongside MYS ZHELANIYA, both declaring Port Said as destination. However, their tracks do not fully align with this route, and open sources suggest SPARTA IV may be heading to Tartus, warranting monitoring.

Two Russian-flagged general cargo vessels, SIYANIE SEVERA (IMO 9250385) bound for Sousse at 10.9 knots (ETA 19 Jan 12:00) and MAIA-1 (IMO 9358010) at 12.4 knots, are transiting the West Mediterranean on parallel routes, indicating possible coordination and warranting monitoring.

9–13 Jan: BOYKIY escorted KAMA and GENERAL SKOBELEV west of Malta; SEVEROMORSK later led MYS ZHELANIYA and SPARTA IV eastbound. KAMA’s course change suggests underway replenishment. The group split shows efficient escort management and strong sustainment capability.

The RFN has been putting GPS jammers like this on ships since the UAV attacks on Tartus in 2018. Usually only seen when they do an out of area deployment (such as this) or if they want to annoy a NATO exercise (e.g. one of the BLATOPS iterations in the early 2020s).

New antennas on corvette Stoyky resemble the Pereod-M EW system, previously unseen on this platform. Their use during a high-visibility exercise suggests deliberate signaling. Deployed in the SVO zone and in serial production since March 2024, it highlights limits of legacy EW vs modern UAV threats.

Russian naval deployments during Wk 02-2026 based on #OSINT reporting. russianfleetanalysis.blogspot.com/2026/01/russ... Low regular activity possibly due to Orthodox Christmas. Out of Area activity related to possible weapon transports and long term deployment of RFS Stoiky.

An excellent IMINT report by @SONARROW_OSINT confirms the destroyer SEVEROMORSK is escorting two vessels, MYS ZHELANIYA and SPARTA IV. We are now awaiting OSINT confirmation of their destinations, potentially Libya and Syria, as noted by @kattyfun1. Developments worth watching closely.

🚢 **Vessel ASCALON Update** Current position: 50°48.46′N, 0°55.43′E (near the English Channel, off the coast of southeast England) Status: Underway using engine | Speed: 3.9 knots | Course: 225° ASCALON is slowly heading southwest through the Channel, maintaining a steady pace.

🚢 “Lady D” Update: Speed: 5.8 knots | Course: 259° The southwestward course still appears influenced by weather conditions. In the coming hours, we’ll see if she makes a stop or continues west. A stop would likely confirm maintenance operations. ⚓🌊

EU tanker owners are regaining Russian oil share: Dec ’25 data shows ~29% carried by EU vessels, rebounding as Russia adjusts logistics after sanctions. Asia (#India & #China) remains key via Oman/Egypt transfers. #Shadowfleet still dominates; G7 maritime ban talks could shift flows.

MAIA-1 and SIYANIE SEVERA, though from different ports, share overlapping routes: MAIA-1 called at Arkhangelsk, also linked to SIYANIE, now heading south. SIYANIE SEVERA’s unusual destination, Sfax, Tunisia, hints at possible strategic or logistical motives beyond normal Arctic trade.

Maritime OSINT Alert – MAIA-1 (IMO 9358010), Russian-flagged cargo vessel, is active after departing Port Bronka. Operated by MG-Flot, linked to vessels involved in Russian military logistics. Routing history suggests India as the most likely destination; Oran remains a low-probability option.

Update | Maritime OSINT MATROS SHEVCHENKO is proceeding eastbound along the Algerian coast, ~9–12 nm offshore, likely weather-driven. No signs of inspection or interception. If reports of a ~1,000-ton uranium cargo are accurate, the vessel is transiting freely through the W/C Mediterranean.

MYS ZHELANIYA and SPARTA IV transited the Gibraltar and are now eastbound toward Port Said. Key points: • No confirmed Russian naval escort in the MED • SEVEROMORSK may have disengaged off Portugal • Possible divergence ahead: – MYS ZHELANIYA → potential Libyan port – SPARTA IV → poss Tartus call

⚠️ Mediterranean Alert The vessel #LadyD is currently following an unusual route at a very low speed. ❓ If this is not due to a technical failure, her course is likely being dictated by severe weather conditions in the area. 🌊 Wind and rough seas are increasingly impacting maritime traffic.

ASCALON (9198226), Russian-flag Ro-Ro, departed Port Bronka and is heading toward the MED. Recent call at Oran (17–19 Dec). Likely returning to Oran, supported by shared operator M Leasing. Bronka’s proximity to military facilities suggests dual-use relevance. ETA Oran: 17 Jan 2026, 02:30 UTC.

Lady D is currently under way using engine at a slow speed steering a westbound. The track does not appear to follow the route usually employed in this area north of Malta. If a technical issue were to be confirmed, Lady D would likely need to call at a port for checks or repairs.

**Maritime OSINT– Update** MYS ZHELANIYA and SPARTA IV are **imminent to transit the Strait of Gibraltar**. Key point to watch: **presence or absence of a Russian naval escort** during or after the passage. This will be a critical indicator of Russia’s current maritime posture in the MED.

OSINT maritime update: LADY D (IMO 9349289, Russia) is in the Eastern Med showing low-speed, irregular N/S movements since Jan 8. Pattern is atypical given recent India–Suez transit and may indicate technical or operational issues. Monitoring ongoing. @spectrecrouton.bsky.social

AIS snapshot: Both **MATROS SHEVCHENKO** and **ADLER** are in the western Mediterranean. ADLER is leaving, MATROS continues east with no visible inspections. OSINT suggests MATROS may carry ~1,000 tons of uranium—if accurate, the lack of checks is concerning. Monitoring needed.

Update – Maritime assessment MYS ZHELANIYA and SPARTA IV are abeam the Portuguese coast, heading south, officially bound for Port Said. OSINT suggests SPARTA IV may call at Tartus, while MYS ZHELANIYA could divert to Libya. Gibraltar transit expected in ~24h. Escort presence will be key.

Russian cargo vessel docks in Togo amid Niger uranium movement. OSINT monitoring. @claudialanz.bsky.social @spectrecrouton.bsky.social

🔱 “🇿🇦 South Africa will host the multinational naval exercise Will for Peace 2026 in early January, when 🇨🇳 Chinese, 🇷🇺 Russian, and 🇮🇷 Iranian naval vessels will arrive on its shores. It will be led by the 🇨🇳 China and will take place in South African waters between 9 and 16 January 2026.”

Update: 💥False flagged💥 INA (IMO 9308443) will soon enter Skagerrak. It is safe to assume that, contrary to her declaration on AIS, Skagen/DK will not be her next destination, but that she will head directly towards Ust-Luga/RU or Primorsk/RU in #BalticSea instead. (5.1.26 15:18 CET)

Something being checked here (with #AIS off?) @altw.bsky.social @puca.bsky.social @itamilradar.com @kaptainloma.bsky.social

The Russian vessels **SPARTA IV** and **MYS ZHELANIYA**, departing **Baltiysk on 1 January 2026**, are en route to **Port Said, Egypt** with **military cargo**. **SPARTA IV** usually heads to **Tartus, Syria**, while **MYS ZHELANIYA** may stop in Libya with moderate likelihood before reaching Egypt.

ADLER (IMO 9179854) is berthed at Porto di Orano, arriving around 11:00 UTC at the same berth it occupied for two months after a September breakdown. It previously made a brief call at Mers el Kebir naval base; its next movements merit attention.

The Russian Ro-Ro vessel **ADLER** is inbound to Oran/Mers el Kebir via the TSS. Russian cargo traffic to Algeria has exceeded normal patterns over the past year. Algeria may act as a logistical gateway for onward redistribution, potentially linked to Africa Corps networks. @claudialanz.bsky.social

Russian vessel Kapitan Danilkin anchored off Oran 29 Dec 20 UTC, departed 30 Dec 09:26 after a brief, unusual stop. Support/tow by LADY MARIIA from suggests a technical casualty. Fault fixed in transit; personnel disembarked at anchorage. Danilkin now westbound. @claudialanz.bsky.social

UPDATE | 29 DEC | 15:06 Lady Mariia completes towing of Kapitan Danilkin. The vessel activates engines and proceeds to anchor off Oran. LADY MARIIA continues westbound, exiting the MED.

#Shadowfleet #Tanker #Feliks IMO 9459242 #IMO9459241 holding off #Tanger

3 crude tankers carrying sanctioned Russian oil are entering the Med toward Port Said. Expected STS or permissive discharge increases sanctions-evasion, safety and environmental risks—and heightens exposure to interference, damage or sabotage.

x.com/rfnosblog/st... @claudialanz.bsky.social

OSINT note: Russian-flagged KAPITAN DANILKIN (IMO 8406729) and LADY MARIIA (IMO 9220641) altered course north of Algiers and are now sailing in close proximity on ~226° at ~4 knots. Parallel maneuvering and matched speed suggest coordination and possible anomalous activity. @claudialanz.bsky.social

Oil tanker **MIKATI** (IMO 9250892, Sierra Leone flag), linked to Russian ports, is now in the East Med en route to Port Said. Notable **southern routing below Malta**, a growing pattern among oil tankers, likely for **risk-mitigation and reduced scrutiny**.

Follow the latest news on the Russian Navy and maritime security. Russia Maritime Watch delivers open-source intelligence, vessel tracking, and in-depth analysis of naval operations and covert maritime activity. russiamaritimewatch.wixsite.com/home

LADY MARIIA (IMO 9220641), moored at Mers el Kebir naval base since 24 Dec, departed today at 09:40 UTC heading east. Possible course toward Tartus, unless routing to India as per past calls. Pattern fits Russian military transfers. Intelligence question: cargo for Algeria or Africa Corps?

The vessel ALEXANDER UDALOV (IMO 9942380, Russia) was last reported 36 hours ago near Kerch, Azov Sea, en route to Mersin, Turkey (ETA Dec 29, 12:00). Reported speed 66.4 knots is unusually high, suggesting possible AIS spoofing. Position and ETA should be verified due to regional AIS issues.

The crude oil tanker QENDIL continues to exhibit unusual movements in the EastMed, with frequent stops, slow speeds, and shifting courses over the past days. Currently heading to Aliaga at 1.5 knots, ETA Dec 25, 07:30, it appears the vessel may be awaiting an external rendezvous or operation.

Just in: The shadows of Russia’s maritime operations reveal a strategic twist! 🚢 Explore how Moran Security is embedding itself in oil tankers once meant to evade sanctions. Details here: russiamaritimewatch.wixsite.com/home/post/ru...

Tanker QENDIL (IMO 9310525) currently in the Aegean Sea, bound for Aliaga. AIS track shows an anomalous route outside Greek TSS, possibly indicating a holding pattern or waiting phase ahead of next port arrival.

Today at the port of Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo, the corvette Stoyky and the logistics support ship Yelnya, visiting the area, were finally sighted. The vessels departed the Baltic on a long deployment in early November.

Naval Activity | Mediterranean On 18 Dec 2025, a Russian detachment consisting of Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar and tug Altay docked at Algiersfor a 4-day port visit. Assessed as routine logistics/naval diplomacy; @claudialanz.bsky.social

MAIA-1 (IMO 9358010), a Russian-flagged general cargo ship currently in the NE Atlantic, has been linked to transports tied to Russian military or strategic interests in India. Similar vessel patterns suggest it could enter the MED and potentially stop in Algiers.

The Russian tanker Yelnya and the corvette Stoiky transited west through the English Channel on 13 November, bypassing the Mediterranean. This strongly suggests they are heading toward Guinea, in line with the recent Russia–Guinea agreement granting Moscow privileged access to the Gulf of Guinea.