For a few days now, we have been detecting unusual activity in the central Mediterranean.
Initially, we observed several missions off the southern Peloponnese conducted by US Navy Boeing P-8A aircraft.
Subsequently, similar missions were carried out off southeastern Sicily, and between last night and this morning, similar operations took place in the Sicilian Channel.
At this very moment (10:30 CET), military activities are ongoing off the western coast of Sicily. Earlier, an Italian Air Force ATR P-72A (reg. MM62280) was operating in the area, and it has now been replaced by a US Navy Boeing P-8A that took off from Sigonella.
While we cannot confirm anything with certainty, based on the strikingly similar scenario from December, we hypothesize that a Russian spy ship may once again be navigating the area. It is likely the Yantar, which departed from Alexandria, Egypt, on January 3 or maybe the Kildin departed from Tartus on 17 december.
The movements and speed of displacement, along with the involvement of Italian Air Force P-72 aircraft (which are not equipped to detect submarines), lead us to rule out the presence of Russian submarines in the area.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation to understand the next movements in the immediate future.
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