The Royal Navy tracked a Russian warship and cargo ship, Baltic Leader, believed to be transporting arms from Syria. The operation spanned three days, with coordination among various military resources. The activity reflects increasing scrutiny over Russian military shipments following the Syrian conflict.
The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom has successfully completed a three-day operation monitoring a Russian warship and military cargo vessel believed to be transporting armaments from Syria. This ongoing activity, reported by The Times, has led to the nickname “the Syrian Express” for the frequent movements between the two regions.
The Russian corvette, Boikiy, was detected moving southward from the Baltic Sea, prompting the deployment of HMS Somerset, a Type 23 frigate, to monitor its transit. Commander Joel Roberts described HMS Somerset’s familiarity with escorting Russian maritime vessels due to frequent past operations in the Channel.
This latest operation included coordination with UK patrol aircraft, NATO forces, and resources such as the Merlin helicopter deployed from HMS Somerset. Additionally, the Belgian minehunter BNS Crocus participated in tracking the vessels.
During the operation, Boikiy met with the cargo ship Baltic Leader, which is suspected of returning from the Tartus base in Syria, reportedly removing military equipment as part of operational efforts following the regime change in Syria. Satellite images cited by The Times confirmed military equipment present at Tartus when Baltic Leader docked.
Exclusive images published by The Times show military personnel aboard the Baltic Leader, with Russian crew members potentially manning machine guns during the transit observed from a fishing vessel.
The operation, spanning from March 1 to March 3, tracked the Baltic Leader and Boikiy as they moved towards the North Sea. The Baltic Leader, a RoRo cargo ship known for transporting Russian military equipment, has a history involving legal disputes and has been previously detained in France for potential sanction violations.
Earlier this year, HMS Somerset was activated to monitor Russian naval activity, including an operation in January tracking the suspected spy ship Yantar. Furthermore, recent operations have seen multiple Royal Navy vessels monitoring other Russian ships returning from Syria, intensifying scrutiny over maritime movements linked to defense logistics.
The Royal Navy’s recent monitoring operation highlights the persistent movement of Russian military assets from Syria, specifically the notable cargo ship Baltic Leader and corvette Boikiy. This operation underscores the UK’s commitment to tracking Russian maritime activities and ensuring regional security amidst frequent military-related transports. The successful engagement reinforces the importance of naval vigilance in international waters.
Original Source: maritime-executive.com
