SPARTA II

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Russian convoy was split

The large Russian convoy was split in the Kattegat on Feb 17. While the "Aleksandr Otrakovskiy", the "Sparta" and the "General Skobelev" sailed through the Fehmarn Belt into the Baltic Sea, the "Ivan Gren" and the "Sparta II", which anchored in pos. 57° 34' N 011° 04' E, were still waiting off Skagen as of Feb 18. For days, the Russian units have been observed and accompanied by NATO units on their voyage. In the Fehmarn Belt, the Federal Police were on site with the patrol ship "Neustadt" together with the Danish Navy. The passage through the narrow waters of the Fehmarn Belt was closely monitored. There were no incidents as the Russian units strictly adhered to the traffic regulations. The corvette "Erfurt" took over the escort off Gedser. The Air Force also sent a Tornado jet from Jagel to the Kattegat on Jan 17 for reconnaissance.

Russian convoy escorted through Dutch NEZ by the Navy

The Royal Netherlands Navy escorted the Russian convoy, consisting of the landing ships 'Alexandr Otrakovsky' of the Ropucha class and 'Ivan Gren of the Ivan Gren class, the supply ship 'Yelnya' of the Altay class, the ' General Skobelev' and the transport ships 'Sparta' and 'Sparta II', through the Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone during the weekend of Feb 15/16. After the passage, other NATO partners took over the escort. The Dutch navy had deployed the Zr.Ms. 'Johan de Witt' for the escort. The on-board helicopter NH90 was also used. The escort was not only to be vigilant, but also to be able to intervene in suspicious actions or disruptions. In this way, the defence protects the critical infrastructure under water. Report with photo: https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/02/16/marine-escorteert-russische-taakgroep-van-6-schepen-op-noordzee

Russian convoy with military equipment monitored in English Channel

On Feb 13 a number Russian ships carrying military equipment was entering the English Channel, among them the 'Sparta', 'Sparta 2' and 'General Skobelev' and the oiler 'Yelnya', the cargo ships carrying military equipment from Syria, where the country was forced to close its naval base following the recent fall of dictator Bashar al Assad. Both ships are owned by Oboronlogistika LLC, a company that operates on behalf of the Russian Ministry of Defence. In 2022, the US government sanctioned both vessels. While passing through the strait, they have been closely shadowed by the British naval vessel RFA 'Tideforce', which began tailing the ships on Feb 12. the Russian Naval ships RFS 'Aleksandr Otrakovskiy', and 'RFS Ivan Gren', both Ropucha class ship, which are armed and designed to facilitate beach landings, accompanied the 'Sparta' and 'Sparta 2'. Also the HMS 'Iron Duke', HMS 'Tyne', and a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron reported on every move of the ships, RFS Aleksandr Otrakovskiy and , and merchant vessels Sparta, Sparta II and Reports with photo and video: https://news.sky.com/story/russian-ships-filmed-carrying-military-hardware-through-the-english-channel-13309518 https://www.forcesnews.com/services/navy/watch-footage-hms-iron-duke-shadowing-russian-task-group-english-channel