Russia intends to move a portion of its military equipment and weapons from Syria to Africa using cargo ships expected to arrive at the Syrian port city of Tartus, according to Ukraine's Ministry of Defense's Main Intelligence Directorate.
According to intelligence reports, Russian forces are preparing for the arrival of their military ships at the naval base in Tartus to facilitate the transportation of military equipment and weaponry. Notably, mercenaries from the Russian Ministry of Defense's African Corps are stationed at the base.
On January 5, Russian landing ships "Ivan Gren" and "Alexander Otrakovsky," along with the cargo ship Sparta, are scheduled to arrive at the Syrian port. These vessels are currently en route to Tartus in the Mediterranean Sea.
The ship "Alexander Otrakovsky" is carrying Colonel Yuri Davityan, the chief of staff of Russia’s 121st landing ship brigade.
Also, two more Russian vessels, the cargo ship Sparta II and the tanker "Ivan Skobelev," are expected to dock in Tartus on January 8, after crossing the Strait of Gibraltar.
According to the intelligence report, the Sparta and Sparta II cargo ships are planned to transport military equipment and weapons from Syria to Libya.
Another Russian warship, the frigate "Admiral Golovko," part of the operational unit of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean, is expected to refuel.
Furthermore, it has been reported that at one airfield in Russia’s Vladimir region, armored personnel carriers likely removed from Syria have been unloaded.
