Russia is reportedly using its ghost fleet to transfer military supplies to Libyan leader Khalifa Haftar, evading international sanctions. Documents reveal the use of illicit shipping practices, with significant implications for European security as Moscow solidifies its influence in the region.
Recent revelations indicate that the Kremlin has been utilizing its “ghost fleet,” comprised of aging commercial vessels with concealed ownership, to deliver military supplies to Libyan leader Khalifa Haftar. Documents have surfaced detailing how a Cameroonian-flagged cargo ship, the Barbaros, journeyed from Russia to eastern Libya, raising suspicions regarding its cargo containing military-relevant trucks manufactured by a sanctioned Russian firm.
The operations of ships like the Barbaros have prompted scrutiny from European authorities, specifically within Operation Irini, which seeks to uphold the arms embargo against Libya. Leaked materials indicate that these commercial ghost ships employed sophisticated methods to elude detection, revealing escalating European apprehensions about Russia’s expanding influence in Libya, reflective of a broader strategy in the Mediterranean and across Africa.
The Barbaros, too, exhibited deceptive practices by manipulating its Automatic Identification System (AIS) to obscure its whereabouts, undergoing multiple name changes and flag registrations. Following an inspection by Operation Irini, it was discovered that the vessel was ferrying 115 Russian-manufactured trucks deemed military utility, yet not specifically modified for combat, thus not violating the embargo.
Incidents of such evasion underscore Moscow’s ongoing support for Haftar, who has been implicated in numerous human rights violations. Despite this, Western powers have not fully ostracized him, as exemplified by diplomatic engagements between U.S. officials and Haftar’s regime, highlighting a strategic oversight amid rising tensions between Russia and NATO, especially concerning Libya’s geopolitical significance.
The growing Russian presence in Libya presents a comprehensive threat to European security, as it links Moscow closer to essential migration routes into Europe. Furthermore, recent reports indicate a surge in Russian military activities and shipments to Libya, exacerbating concerns over the formalization of its military establishment in the region, as well as signaling an escalation of Russian influence in Africa’s resource-rich territories.
In summary, Russia’s ghost fleet is significantly impacting the dynamics of the Libyan conflict by supplying military supplies to Khalifa Haftar. The manipulation of shipping practices to evade detection from international sanctions exemplifies the Kremlin’s strategic maneuvers aimed at expanding its influence in the Mediterranean and Africa. Furthermore, the increasing presence of Russian forces raises substantial concerns for European security.
Original Source: www.icij.org
