Russia Resumes Military Shipments to Syria for First Time Since Assad’s Fall, Satellite Images Reveal

Russia has resumed military-related deliveries to Syria for the first time since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, according to satellite imagery analyzed by OSINT projects InsiderGeo and SONARROW_OSINT on May 15.

According to the OSINT analysis, Russian cargo vessel Sparta arrived at Syria’s port of Tartus on May 11 under the escort of Russian Navy warships.

Satellite images reportedly showed the vessel unloading cargo at the port, marking what analysts described as the first visual confirmation of renewed Russian military supply activity in Syria since the change of power in Damascus.

The exact contents of the shipment remain unknown. However, analysts believe the vessel was likely carrying military cargo or dual-use equipment.

Satellite imagery reviewed by InsiderGeo and SONARROW_OSINT reportedly identified the Russian frigate Admiral Flota Kasatonov operating near the cargo ship. Analysts also noted that the corvette Stoikiy departed Tartus before the convoy’s arrival, which they assessed may have been intended to secure the route.

According to the OSINT investigators, the convoy employed concealment measures after passing through the Strait of Gibraltar. Several vessels reportedly disabled their transponders, while at least two ships transmitted false location data indicating they were operating in the Baltic Sea.

Earlier, The Maritime Executive reported on May 7 that Russia had begun restoring its naval presence at the Syrian port of Tartus following months of reduced activity.

According to the outlet, the buildup included sanctioned logistics vessels such as Sparta, escorted by the Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate Admiral Kasatonov, as Moscow sought to reestablish long-term operations at its key naval facility in the eastern Mediterranean.

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