Satellite Images Reveal Russian Military Equipment Removed From Syrian Tartus Port

Satellite images reveal the removal of Russian military equipment from the Syrian port of Tartus, according to a report by Radio Liberty on January 27.

The high-resolution satellite photos show Russian military hardware being loaded onto Sparta and Sparta II cargo ships, owned by the Russian Ministry of Defense’s “Oboronlogistika” company. The equipment had been gathered from across Syria.

A comparison of images taken on January 18 and January 27 confirms significant changes: Sparta II has already left the port, along with a large portion of the equipment previously visible on the dock. Meanwhile, the ship Sparta remains in Tartus, and an area near the vessel that was nearly empty on January 18 is now filled with containers.

Ukrainian media Militarny reported that the Russians amassed a large amount of equipment at the naval base in Tartus, Syria.

Satellite images showed many trucks and other vehicles on the base’s pier, while there was no equipment at the cargo terminals.

Earlier, Syria’s Port of Tartus officially terminated a 49-year investment contract with Russia. This decision, announced by the Tartus Customs Directorate on January 19, redirects all revenues from the port’s operations toward the benefit of the Syrian state.