A Russian cargo ship slipped quietly into the Black Sea with a suspected load of war supplies for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The ship, Sparta IV, was loaded in Syria and sailed with a Russian Navy escort. Although Turkey closed the waterway between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea to Russian warships, the flow of military supplies continues. A fresh shipment of military equipment appears to have slipped into the Black Sea for delivery to a Russian base. The Russian government linked ship, MV Sparta IV, passed through the Bosporus during the hours of darkness. (…) Naval News has seen evidence which indicates that this latest ship, MV Sparta IV, is carrying military vehicles and/or other war supplies. She is expected to unload in Novorossiysk, a base heavily involved in the Invasion of Ukraine. Russian Military Shipments To The Black Sea Continue Despite Closure Sparta IV is one of four ships owned by SC South LLC, a Russian shipping company which is involved in transporting military equipment. The company and the ship have been sanctioned by the U.S. Government under Specially Designated Nationals list (SDN) following the invasion of Ukraine. Russian media previously reported that the ship arrived in Tartus in Syria carrying humanitarian aid. This followed the devastating earthquake on February 6. The aid was carried in shipping containers on deck. Subsequent to this the vessel was loaded in the Russian naval base at Tartus. The loading involved distinctive military vehicles, and the ship’s large holds were opened during this time. As she sailed through the Bosporus she had a declared draught of 6.2 meters (20 feet) suggesting a heavy load. This is supported by the photographic evidence. Shipping containers have been placed on the deck but what is in them, or in the hold, is naturally not visible.
via navalnews: Russian Ship Loaded With Military Equipment Enters Black Sea
