Russia plans to move some weapons, equipment from Syria to Libya — Ukraine's intel

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reported the information.

Intelligence reports indicate that mercenaries from the Russian Ministry of Defense's “African Corps” are present at the Tartus base.

According to this information, the Russian large landing ships Ivan Gren and Alexander Otrakovsky, along with the cargo ship Sparta, are expected to arrive at the Syrian port on January 5. They are currently en route to Tartus in the Mediterranean Sea.

Yuri Albertovich Davityan, Chief of Staff of the 121st Brigade of Landing Ships of the Russian fleet, is aboard the Otrakovsky.

Ukraine's Defence Intelligence notes that on January 8, two more Russian vessels are expected to enter Tartus — the universal cargo ship Sparta II and the tanker Ivan Skobelev. These vessels are currently on course to cross the Strait of Gibraltar.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia plans to use the Sparta and Sparta II cargo ships to transport military equipment and weapons from Syria to Libya. 

Another Russian warship from the Russian Navy's operational grouping in the Mediterranean, the Admiral Golovko frigate, is planning to refuel. 

Meanwhile, in Russia, armored personnel carriers, likely taken from Syria, were unloaded at an airfield in the Vladimir region, the intelligence agency said.

• The Syrian opposition launched an offensive against Bashar al-Assad's regime on the morning of November 27. On November 30, the rebels reached Aleppo, and on the same day, Russian aviation conducted air strikes on the city for the first time since 2016. Russia also promised additional military assistance to the Assad regime.
• On December 7, Syrian opposition forces announced that they had taken control of the city of Daraa, later claiming to have entered the capital Damascus and announcing the fall of the government of dictator Bashar al-Assad.
• On December 13, about a thousand Russian troops marched from Damascus to Tartus and Khmeimim in a column.
• Russia has secured agreements to maintain its military presence at key bases in Syria.
• Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani, after meeting with the leaders of rebel groups, said that they had agreed to disband and move under the leadership of the Ministry of Defense.