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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

Due to the serious unrests in France, P&O Cruises has changed the itinerary of the 'Iona' at short notice: The planned call to Le Havre on Oct 18 has been cancelled aninstead the ship had a day at sea. The stay in Vigo has been brought forward by one day to oct 19, and A Coruña became an overnight stop on Oct 20 until Oct 21. Those who have booked an excursion in Le Havre through P&O will have it canceled and refunded. Tours in Vigo and A Coruña were also adjusted. The Shore Experiences team contacted affected guests.

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', 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

The 'Polar' was detained in Ulsan on Oct 14, 2026, with tow detainable defiencies: 14610 - POLLUTION PREVENTION - MARPOL ANNEX VI - Operational procedures for engines or equipment (no responsibility of RO) 07101 - FIRE SAFETY - Fire prevention structural integrity (no responsibility of RO). The tanker was released again on Oct 15 and left the port enroute to Lianyungang on Oct 16 with an ETA as of Oct 17.

The 'Kraken', which was sunk as an artificial reef in January 2017, was now flooded with fishes 42 metres deep, 65 miles off the coast of Galveston, Texas, in the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel is now encrusted with marine organisms and surrounded by clouds of fishes including mackerel and red snapper. Many of these animals have made their home here purely because of the presence of the ship’s structure. Before the ship was scuttled, the team surveyed the area to check what was already living in these waters. They found a couple of sharks and not much of anything else. The new ecosystem supports marine life also attracts tourism through diving and fishing. The whole area benefitted from the added habitat and species diversity.