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Russian military sealift operation underway
On Nov 6, a significant Russian military sealift operation was underway, involving the 'Lady R' (IMO: 9161003), 'Lady D' (IMO: 9349289) and 'Maia 1' (IMO: 9358010) A second cargo convoy has been tracked navigating in formation, recently crossing the southern Baltic Sea just north of the Polish coast. Following military loading activities at Baltiysk throughout late October, involving other vessels like the 'Ascalon' and 'Anastasiia', this group was now sailing outbound. The 'Lady R' has been operating with intermittent AIS signals. There were three highly probable destinations, Tobruk with an ETA as of Nov 8-9, 2026, Tartus or Lomé with an ETA as of Nov 13-14. On Nov 7 at 5.32 a.m., the convoy split south of Gedser, with the 'Lady R' and 'Maia 1' having aborted their transit through the Danish Straits. The ' Lady R' executed a circular U-turn maneuver in the Fehmarn Belt and was sailing eastbound at a reduced speed of just 3.4 knots. Also thr 'Maia 1' turned back east. Both vessels were under joint US and EU sanctions, likely restricting their transit through European territorial waters and the Danish Straits. The Lady D' was meanwhile continuing its northbound trajectory. The vessel was under US sanctions only, lacking the EU restrictions that halted the rest of the convoy. A fourth, unacknowledged vessel sailing in the center of the convoy, a vessel of approximately 110 meters transmitting no AIS data. The signature was highly consistent with a Russian Navy frigate or corvette providing an armed, dark escort. The Danish patrol boats 'P 523' and 'P 524' conducted a tactical handover at 12:40 a.m. UTC to maintain continuous surface tracking. The 'P 524' was shadowing the northbound 'Lady D'. The German patrol ships 'Bamberg' and 'Neustadt' have taken over the eastbound tracking of the 'Lady R' and 'Maia 1' . The German patrol aircraft PCT636 also conducted close passes over the formation. Swedish Coast Guard aircraft were actively monitoring the operational area from above.
Lady R in weapons trade again
The 'Lady R' has rejoined an alleged weapons shipping operation with North Korea after a three-month hiatus, replacing another that recently traveled to a Chinese port for possible maintenance work. But soon after it carried containers from North Korea’s Rason Port to Russia’s Vostochny Port in early February, the entire maritime operation appeared to go on hold, as Russian ships linked to the trade stopped appearing at either port in available satellite imagery. It was unclear if this is due to production problems at DPRK weapons factories or another issue. Other signs point to a resumption in the future, however, highlighting the need to continue monitoring the vessels. The two countries started the operation in August 2ß23, initially between Rason and a Russian military port at Dunay, and the four identified Russian cargo ships have made at least 32 trips to North Korea since then. The 'Lady R' returned to Rason on Feb. 4 for the first time since late October. It was moored at a government-owned port in central Vladivostok over the winter before visiting Vostochny Port on Jan 30 and again on Feb 8. after picking up containers at Rason. The U.S.-sanctioned vessel was previously involved in a controversial shipment of Russian military equipment and possibly weapons to South Africa. Report with photos: https://www.nknews.org/pro/russian-ship-rejoins-north-korea-weapons-trade-only-for-operation-to-go-on-hold/
Lady R docked at Rason, after alleged port facilitated arms deal between DPRK and Russia
The sanctioned 'Lady R' appeared to visit a North Korean port at the center of alleged arms trade between Russia and the DPRK twice this month, including Oct 19, 2023, being one of at least three large cargo ships that appeaedr to have participated in the alleged arms deal between Russia and the DPRK, and its identification suggested that Russia has been leaning on its own vessels and common sanctions evasion tactics to facilitate the operation besides the 'Angara', which allegedly carried containers full of North Korean military equipment and munitions to the Russian Far East and then by train to the frontlines of the country’s war on Ukraine, and the 'Maria', which also made multiple trips ferrying containers between the northeastern North Korean port of Rason (Rajin) and the secluded Russian military port of Dunay (Dunai) since August. The 'Lady R' stopped broadcasting its AIS on Oct 2 after visiting Vostochny Port in Nakhodka. Report with photos: https://www.nknews.org/pro/russian-ship-in-south-africa-arms-row-appears-to-aid-north-korea-weapons-trade/
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