The cargo ship “Sparta IV” can deliver S-300 missiles from the Russian naval base in Tartus (Syria) to the port of Novorossiysk.
The US-sanctioned Russian cargo ship Sparta IV, en route from Syria to the port of Novorossiysk carrying heavy cargo, passed through the Turkish-controlled Bosporus on Sunday night. On board are allegedly S-300 missiles, the official newspaper of the British Royal Navy Naval News reports.
According to media reports, the ship “Sparta IV” was loaded in Syria and sailed from its coast with an escort ship of the Russian fleet. On Sunday night, the ship passed the Turkish-controlled Bosphorus.
The Bosphorus Strait, on the banks of which Istanbul stands and which belongs to the sovereign waters of Turkey, is closed to warships due to the war in Ukraine. However, as the British media admits, Russia uses auxiliary and merchant ships to transport military cargo through the straits.
Naval News insists that the Sparta IV is carrying military equipment and other military equipment. It is expected that it will unload in Novorossiysk, a city that, with the start of a full-scale invasion of the Russian Armed Forces into Ukraine, has actually turned into a military base.
“The ship was loaded at the Russian naval base in Tartus (Syria). Military vehicles participated in the loading and at that time the large holds of the ship were opened. When Sparta IV sailed through the Bosphorus, she had a draft of 6.2 meters (20 feet ), which implies a large load,” writes the media.
In addition, in August 2022, Sparta IV was already delivering military supplies. Then, in Novorossiysk, Russian S-300 air defense missiles were shipped from the ship.
Russian ship “Sparta IV”: what is known about it
“Sparta IV” is a general-purpose dry-cargo vessel designed to transport a variety of goods, materials, and products. Spacious cargo holds that take up most of the ship’s hull and cargo decks provide ample space for cargo. On board the dry cargo ship there are lifting devices (cranes and booms) capable of lifting small loads up to 10 tons.
Belongs to the General Cargo class.
It was built in 2018 and belongs to the Russian Federation, under the flag of which it flies. The ship’s home port is Novorossiysk.
According to MarineTraffic, a maritime analytics provider that provides real-time information on vessel traffic and the current location of vessels in harbors and ports, the Sparta IV left the port of Tartus (Syria) on the morning of March 1 and is heading to Novorossiysk (RF) , in the port of which it should moor in the afternoon of March 6.
“Sparta IV” is moving at an average speed of 11 knots (20.37 kilometers per hour – ed.).
This ship is one of four ships owned by SK Yug LLC (a Russian shipping company engaged in the transportation of military equipment).The company, like the ship, fell under US government sanctions due to the war unleashed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine.
Russian ship “Sparta IV”, capable of transporting heavy cargo by water
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Photo: MarineTraffic.com
Recall that Russia has changed the tactics of attacking Ukraine. To save on high-precision missiles, the RF Armed Forces use the S-300 during the second wave of shelling.
Focus also wrote that on February 26, US CIA director Burns Jones announced that Beijing was considering providing Moscow with lethal weapons. At the same time, Washington is making every effort to prevent this from happening.
