Newly released footage from the Sky News helicopter has captured Russian ships, Sparta and Sparta 2, carrying military equipment through the English Channel. The vessels are currently transporting military gear from Syria after the closure of the country’s naval base following the fall of dictator Bashar al Assad. Both ships are owned by Oboronlogistika LLC, a company operating on behalf of the Russian Ministry of Defence and sanctioned by the US government in 2022.
The ships entered the English Channel on 13 February and were closely monitored by the British naval vessel RFA Tideforce since 12 February. Additionally, the Russian Naval ship RFS Aleksandr Otrakovskiy accompanied Sparta and Sparta 2. RFS Aleksandr Otrakovskiy is a Ropucha class ship designed for beach landings and armed operations.
The closure of Russia’s naval base in Tartus, Syria, following the fall of the Assad regime, marks the loss of their only Mediterranean naval foothold. The base, established by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and modernized in 2012, served as a crucial refuelling and repair outpost. Satellite imagery taken after the fall of Assad showed significant military equipment and vehicles gathered along the base’s pier.
The presence of Russian ships carrying military equipment through the English Channel has raised concerns and drawn attention to Russia’s involvement in the region, especially following the closure of their vital naval base in Syria. The footage captured by Sky News provides a glimpse into the ongoing military activities in the area.
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