Russia is unable to move its warships from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea after Turkey closed the Bosphorus to warships, a measure taken since the start of the war. However, Russia has been able to transport advanced weapons systems such as S-300 missiles using commercial vessels.

Under the cover of darkness, the Russian cargo ship “Sparta II” was transporting weapons for Russia’s war in Ukraine, writes Navalnews.com in an article signed by analyst HI Sutton.

The information collected so far indicates that a Russian merchant ship was transporting the S-300 air defense system from its bases in Syria to the Black Sea.

Sparta II was destined for Novorossiysk, a Russian port on the eastern Black Sea and an important naval base near the Kerch Bridge. As a result, the S-300 missiles will strengthen the defense either near Kerch or in other areas of Russian operations. Ukrainian drones are being activated in Crimea, and perhaps these missiles are intended to strengthen defenses.

It is believed that the ship sailed from Tartus, Syria, where components of the S-300 system were being assembled at the docks. The S-300 system likely came from a site in Masiaf in northern Syria. She began her journey on August 20 and crossed the Bosphorus on the night of August 24-25.

The transit was watched by the respected shipman Yoruk Ishik. Anchored near the Russian coast, the ship entered Novorossiysk on August 27.

It is reported that the ship belongs to the company “Oboronlogistika”, which belongs to the Ministry of Defense of Russia itself. The vessel was specifically added to the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions list. The ship’s crew is civilian, but its cargo is often of a military nature.

The move of powerful air defense systems from Syria to the Black Sea could be significant and mean the absence of additional systems to support Russia in Ukraine. At the same time, the transfer of military equipment from Syria weakens the forces of Russia and the Assad regime, writes Navalnews.com