russia

Russia has reportedly moved military equipment from its naval base in Tartus, Syria, to the port of Tobruk in eastern Libya, according to the Ukrainian website "Express Defence".

The outlet, citing intelligence sources, disclosed that the operations occurred from April 4th to 8th. The equipment was transported by two landing ships from the Russian Northern Fleet, which had entered the Mediterranean Sea two weeks prior.

The report highlights that the nature of the Russian supplies to Libya remains unconfirmed and cannot be definitively discerned from satellite images capturing the loading of equipment onto Russian vessels in Tartus.

This uncertainty raises concerns about potential escalations in the region.

In January, the Turkish Anadolu Agency unveiled Russia's plans to establish a distinct military force, dubbed "the African Legion", to replace the Wagner mercenaries. The new force is anticipated to undertake different duties, potentially exerting a greater influence on Libya and other African nations.

The agency specified that the legion's operational scope would encompass Libya, Burkina Faso, Mali, the Central African Republic, and Niger and would operate under the direct authority of the military administration, under the supervision of General Yevgeny Yevtushenko, the Russian Deputy Minister of Defence.