The Final Voyage of the Syrian Express?

Russian movements in the Mediterranean continue. Overnight, the cargo ship Ursa Major entered through Gibraltar, and in the coming hours, another Russian cargo ship, the Sparta, will follow.

P-3C CUP+ "Orion" (14808) da Força Aérea Portuguesa acompanha cargueiro "Ursa Major" ("УРСА МАЙОР", IMO 9538892) do Min.º Defesa Russo, transportando 2 gruas Liebherr, da sua gama móvel portuária LHM, ao largo Portugal continental, 20Dez2024. Mais info em https://t.co/SG92obVJRj pic.twitter.com/6CEGk8FeDa

— Espada & Escudo (@EE_EspadaEscudo) December 21, 2024

The two ships, which departed from the Baltic Sea, are now heading towards the Eastern Mediterranean. Although they list Vladivostok and Port Said as their destinations, it is highly likely that both vessels are en route to Tartus in Syria, where they are expected to load military equipment to bring back to Russia following the Russian withdrawal from the region.

The two naval units are believed to have entered the Mediterranean unescorted, although they were accompanied for much of their journey by the corvette Soobrazitelnyy (531), including during their passage through the English Channel. The corvette is reportedly returning to Russia, along with the frigate Admiral Gorshkov.

12/ Likely HMS Portland (not Somerset) that shadowed Russian convoy through the Channel eastbound on the 16th.

Corvette RFS Soobrazitelnyy escorting Russian cargo vessels Ursa Major and Sparta, possibly with equipment from bases in Syria.

(Src/img: Dover Strait Shipping) pic.twitter.com/KUliePQDuQ

— UK Forces Tracker (@UKForcesTracker) December 18, 2024

These two ships, long involved in the so-called “Syria Express” – the transport of arms for Russian troops in Syria – are likely making their final voyage to Tartus, signaling what now appears to be the definitive withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria.