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Sanctioned Russian ships monitored in English Channel
The US-sanctioned Russian-flagged cargo vessels 'Ascalon' and 'Anastasiia' were underway again through the English Channel on Nov 5, closely monitored by UK military assets: The ' Ascalon' was heading 255.7° at a speed of 10.9 knots after departing from St. Petersburg The ' Anastasiia' was heading 255° at a speed of 10.6 knots, coming from Baltiysk. A Royal Air Force (RAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (Registration: ZP806, Hex: 43C91D, Callsign: GURNY01) has been actively tracking and orbiting the convoy in the Channel at low altitude (~2,225 ft).
Russian convoy transited Danish waters
On Nov 1, a Russian convoy with the heavy loaded 'Anastasiia' (IMO: 9349291) and 'Ascalon' (IMO: 9198226) transited the Storebæelt enroute from Baltiysk, escorted by the Russian Baltic Fleet Steregushchiy-class corvette 'Stoykiy' and the Altay-class tanker 'Yelnya' (IMO: 6813095). Both cargo ships have a well-documented history of transporting Russian weapons and military equipment. The 'Ascalon' was previously involved in the "Syrian Express," while the 'Anastasiia' was tracked unloading military trucks in Tobruk, Libya, just last month. Danish and German patrol vessels and Coast Guard units, including the HDMS 'Nymfen' (IMO: 4537116) and the 'Bamberg' (IMO: 9830020) of the German Federal Police have been actively shadowing the convoy's every move out of the Baltic.The final destination wass unknown, but given their track record, a delivery to Africa or the Middle East was highly likely.
Russia caught shipping weapons and suspected spies to Africa aboard civilian cessels
Russia has been using civilian cargo vessels in order to transport military equipment and suspected undercover intelligence operatives to Africa, with 28 persons believed to have traveled under fabricated identities aboard vessels carrying supplies for Russian military operations. According to a joint investigation published on Oct 19, 2026, by the Dossier Center, Follow the Money, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Danwatch, and Delfi, the suspected operatives sailed aboard on the whole seven Russian cargo vessels with military equipment, which was primarily intended for Russia’s Africa Corps, a Defense Ministry-controlled formation that replaced the Wagner mercenary group. The names, dates of birth, and identity document numbers of these people could not be found in publicly available records or leaked databases. They were likely Russian intelligence personnel operating under cover identities. The investigation found that the passengers used Russian passports without biometric chips. Several documents differed only in their final digits, while two carried consecutive numbers, suggesting they may have been issued together as part of a coordinated operation. The documents displayed characteristics associated with passports used in intelligence operations. Analysts at US-based security research organization C4ADS also concluded that the passengers’ personal information appeared to have been fabricated. One of the shipments involved the 'Sabetta' (IMO: 9347061), which arrived at the port of Conakry on March 19 and delivered approximately 50 military and support vehicles, including armoured vehicles and fuel tankers. The equipment was subsequently transported overland to Mali, where Russia’s Africa Corps maintains a military presence. Four passengers aboard the 'Sabetta' had identity details that investigators could not verify through other available records. The vessel is owned by Severny Proekt, a Russian company involved in state defense contracts and special projects for the state nuclear corporation Rosatom. The investigation also identified three roro vessels, the 'Adler' (IMO: 9179854), 'Ascalon' (IMO 9198226) and 'Baltic Leader' (IMO: 9220639, which were operated by the MG-Flot, a Russian shipping company sanctioned by the USA and European Union over activities linked to Iran and supplies supporting Russian drone production. Three additional cargo vessels, the 'Mikhail Britnev' (IMO: 9081370), 'Mys Zhelaniya' (IMO: 9366110) and 'Siyanie Severa' (IMO: 9250385), were also identified as part of the maritime network. The 'Siyanie Severa' had previously transported grain from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. The vessels frequently switched off their AIS transponders during voyages to Africa, making their movements more difficult to track. Russia may have deployed personnel from the Federal Security Service (FSB) or military intelligence agency (GRU) to accompany the shipments because of the sensitive military cargo. The suspected intelligence operatives could have been tasked with monitoring crews and preventing vessels from complying with potential orders to stop issued by European authorities. Approximately 15 Ukrainian drone specialists have been operating in Mali, providing training and operational support to local forces fighting Russia’s Africa Corps. Ukrainian personnel have also conducted drone operations in Sudan and Libya, targeting Russian-linked military and maritime activities. Report with photos: https://united24media.com/world/russia-caught-shipping-weapons-and-suspected-undercover-spies-to-africa-aboard-civilian-vessels-23571
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