Russian ships barred from Syrian port, face fuel leaks
The Ukrainian intelligence agency confirmed that Russian ships moored off the coast of Syria have started to leak. The issue stems from the lack of permission to enter the port of Tartus, which prevents the crew from making necessary repairs. The new Syrian authorities are denying entry to these transport vessels.
Russian vessels, including the bulk carrier Sparta and two large landing ships, Ivan Gren and Aleksandr Orekovski, are facing technical problems off the coast of Syria.
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 January 9, 2025, Russian Rear Admiral Valery Varfolomeyev attempted to negotiate with the Syrians but was denied entry to 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 to allow the entry of a ship intended to evacuate Russian military equipment from the Russian naval base in Tartus.
The refusal comes after the overthrow of the Russia-backed dictator Bashar al-Assad by rebel forces in December.
Sparta II, a Russian transport ship subject to US sanctions, has been drifting near Tartus since January 5 after departing from Baltiysk in the Kaliningrad region on December 11.
