Russia transports S-300 missile system through Bosphorus
Russia has been transporting advanced weapons systems like S-300 missiles through the Bosphorus Straits in Istanbul, Naval News reported.
The website published a photo captured by a video footage showing a nondescript Russian cargo ship passing through the Bosphorus.
The video is taken by Yoruk İsik, an Istanbul-based geopolitical analyst at the Bosphorus Observer consultancy group.
Isik said on Twitter that the ship, Sparta 2, belonged to the Russian Ministry of Defense and was carrying military cargo.
.@USTreasury designated [UKRAINE-EO13685], @mod_russia owned Oboronlogistika's, civilian crewed Russian flag roro Sparta II transited Bosphorus towards Med en route from #Tartus #Syria to Novorossiysk carrying military cargo. @egetulca pic.twitter.com/fsGlSfz4i8
— Yörük Işık (@YorukIsik) August 27, 2022
Shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Turkey closed the Bosphorus to warships. This stopped the Russian Navy from reinforcing its naval forces fighting against Ukraine. But merchant ships could still pass.
Naval News claimed that Sparta 2 was sailing from Tartus in Syria, where S-300 components had been gathered on the pier.
It started the voyage on August 20 and passed the Bosphorus overnight on August 24-25.
The S-300 is a capable air defense missile system and their transportation to Black Sea implies shortages of Russian systems supporting the war in Ukraine.
