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Russia Caught Shipping Weapons and Suspected Undercover Spies to Africa Aboard Civilian Vessels
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Russia has been using civilian cargo ships to transport military equipment and suspected undercover intelligence operatives to Africa, with investigators identifying 28 passengers believed to have traveled under fabricated identities aboard vessels carrying supplies for Russian military operations on the continent.
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According to a joint investigation published on October 19 by the Dossier Center, Follow the Money, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Danwatch, and Delfi, the suspected operatives traveled aboard seven Russian cargo vessels transporting military equipment primarily intended for Russia’s Africa Corps, a Defense Ministry-controlled formation that replaced the Wagner mercenary group.
Journalists identified 28 passengers whose names, dates of birth, and identity document numbers could not be found in publicly available records or leaked databases. A source within European intelligence services suggested that the individuals were likely Russian intelligence personnel operating under cover identities.
The investigation found that the passengers used Russian passports without biometric chips. Several documents differed only in their final digits, while two carried consecutive numbers, suggesting they may have been issued together as part of a coordinated operation.
Former Danish intelligence officer Stig Wæver assessed that the documents displayed characteristics associated with passports used in intelligence operations. Analysts at US-based security research organization C4ADS also concluded that the passengers’ personal information appeared to have been fabricated.
One of the shipments involved the Russian cargo vessel Sabetta, which arrived at the port of Conakry, Guinea, on March 19. The ship reportedly delivered approximately 50 military and support vehicles, including armored vehicles and fuel tankers.
The equipment was subsequently transported overland to Mali, where Russia’s Africa Corps maintains a military presence. Four passengers aboard Sabetta had identity details that investigators could not verify through other available records.
The vessel is owned by Severny Proekt, a Russian company involved in state defense contracts and special projects for the state nuclear corporation Rosatom.
The investigation also identified three roll-on/roll-off vessels—Adler, Ascalon, and Baltic Leader—operated by MG-Flot, a Russian shipping company sanctioned by the United States and European Union over activities linked to Iran and supplies supporting Russian drone production.
Three additional cargo ships—Mikhail Britnev, Mys Zhelaniya, and Siyanie Severa—were also identified as part of the maritime network. Siyanie Severa had previously transported grain from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
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According to the investigation, the vessels frequently switched off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders during voyages to Africa, making their movements more difficult to track.
A source within a European intelligence agency suggested that Russia may have deployed personnel from the Federal Security Service (FSB) or military intelligence agency (GRU) to accompany the shipments because of the sensitive military cargo.
Michelle Bockmann, a senior analyst at maritime intelligence company Windward, suggested that the suspected intelligence operatives could have been tasked with monitoring crews and preventing vessels from complying with potential orders to stop issued by European authorities.
Russia’s expanding military presence in Africa has also drawn Ukrainian involvement. According to CNN on September 12, approximately 15 Ukrainian drone specialists have been operating in Mali, providing training and operational support to local forces fighting Russia’s Africa Corps.
Ukrainian personnel have also reportedly conducted drone operations in Sudan and Libya, targeting Russian-linked military and maritime activities.
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