Sanctioned Russian Ships Dock at Syria’s Tartus Amid Evacuation Speculations

Two Russian ships, Sparta and Sparta II, linked to the Kremlin’s military, have docked at the naval base in Tartus on Syria’s coast according to the BBC on January 24.

Analysts suggest this move, made on January 21, may signal the beginning of an anticipated evacuation of the facility. Both ships are sanctioned by the United States and have been identified by Ukraine as being used to transport Russian arms.

Large amounts of military equipment have recently been transported to Tartus. Satellite images analyzed by BBC Verify show dozens of vehicles and other hardware at the port, which began appearing in mid-December. Footage earlier this month showed large columns of Russian vehicles heading toward the base, reportedly redirected from other locations across Syria.

The docking coincides with unconfirmed reports in Syrian media that Russia’s lease for the Tartus port has been canceled.

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Tartus has served as a crucial logistical hub for Russia, providing resupply and repair capabilities for vessels operating in the Mediterranean. While Moscow expressed a desire to maintain a presence at the base, the recent lease developments may have forced a shift in strategy.

Analysts believe the Sparta and Sparta II, owned by Oboronlogistika LLC, a company under Russia’s Ministry of Defense, had been denied docking rights until Tuesday, likely due to ongoing negotiations. Marine tracking data shows both ships switched off their transponders shortly after docking at the port.

Weather conditions have complicated efforts to obtain clear satellite imagery, but low-resolution radar images from the EU’s Sentinel satellites confirmed the ships' presence in Tartus. Additional reports suggest that two Russian naval vessels, Ivan Gren and Alexander Otrakovsky, may also be involved in a broader evacuation effort.

Activity has also been observed at Russia’s Hmeimim airbase in Syria. Satellite images from January show military equipment being loaded onto Russian aircraft. Ukrainian intelligence has reported at least ten flights since mid-December, transferring personnel and equipment from Hmeimim to Libyan airbases.

The Tartus Port, Russia’s only naval base outside the former Soviet Union, has been crucial since 1977. It supported Moscow’s 2015 intervention in Syria, facilitated arms shipments, and enabled NATO monitoring and Wagner deployments. After Turkey restricted military access to the Bosphorus Strait, Tartus became vital for Mediterranean operations.