Russian vessels stranded as new Syrian regime denies port access
The Ukrainian intelligence agency confirmed that Russian ships moored off the coast of Syria have begun to leak. The issue arises from the lack of permission to enter the port of Tartus, which prevents the crew from carrying out repairs. The new Syrian authorities are not permitting the transport vessels to dock.
Russian vessels, including the bulk carrier Sparta and two large landing ships, Ivan Gren and Aleksandr Orekovski, are experiencing technical problems off the Syrian coast.
According to the Ukrainian intelligence agency, fuel is leaking from the ships, and the crew cannot board because they lack permission to enter the port of Tartus.
On 9 January 2025, Russian Rear Admiral Valery Varfolomeyev attempted to negotiate with the Syrians but could not enter discussions.
As a result, Russia is continuing the transfer of weapons and military equipment from Syria to Libya by air.
Change of power in Syria
The new authorities in Syria refused permission for the entry of a ship intended to evacuate Russian military equipment from the Russian naval base in Tartus.
The refusal comes in the wake of the December overthrow of the Russia-backed dictator, Bashar al-Assad, by rebel forces.
Sparta II, a Russian transport ship subject to US sanctions, has been drifting near Tartus since 5 January after departing from Baltiysk in the Kaliningrad region on 11 December.
