Russian ships denied access to Syrian port of Tartus
Photo: Spokesperson of the Ukrainian Navy Dmytro Pletenchuk (facebook com Taclbery)
Russian ships cannot enter the Syrian port of Tartus in the Mediterranean Sea as they have not received permission from the local authorities, says the spokesperson of the Ukrainian Navy, Dmytro Pletenchuk.
"The situation in the Mediterranean is very interesting. They (the Russian ships - ed.) are still at sea. They have not been permitted to enter the base point... As of now, they have been on the outer roadstead for several days and cannot enter the port," Pletenchuk said.
He did not specify which particular units were involved.
According to media reports, the ship Sparta, which the Russians use to transport military equipment, has been unable to enter the port of Tartus for more than five days.
"This puts the evacuation of Russian weapons and equipment from Syria in jeopardy," writes Militarnyi.
Withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria
After the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, Russia began withdrawing some of its troops from Syria. After a while, Ukrainian intelligence reported that it was facing problems evacuating soldiers from the country.
Russian ship Ursa Major, which was transporting strategic cargo, sank in the Mediterranean Sea after an explosion in the engine room.
The ship's owner company, Oboronlogistika, said that three explosions hit the starboard side before the sinking. The Russians believe the ship was sabotaged.
