Large Russian Military Cargo Convoy Forming Up in the Baltic

An unusually large convoy of cargo vessels, all sanctioned and with well-established histories of moving military cargo for the Russian Ministry of Defense, appears to be forming up at Baltiysk, in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. They appear to be readying to depart.

Baltiysk has often been used as an assembly point for escorted cargo ships heading either for the Mediterranean or for West Africa, usually to support the activities of the state-sponsored mercenary group, the Africa Corps, which supports governments in power facing threats from Islamist militants. These governments are generally military-led, having seized power in coups.

The vessels involved are the Lady R (IMO 9161003), Ascalon (IMO 9198226), Lady D (IMO 9349289), Sparta (IMO 9268710), and Anastasiia (IMO 9349291). All are now in Baltiysk or in the anchorage just outside the port, most having beforehand come south from St. Petersburg. It would appear likely that the vessels have taken on cargo in St. Petersburg and are completing loading at Baltiysk.

Four military cargo vessels (1-4) loading at Baltiysk in Kaliningrad on October 27 (Sentinel-2)

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →