Working Conditions Aboard the Mikhail-Britnev

In a significant military shipment, Russia has dispatched a consignment of military vehicles to Mali, utilizing the sanctioned cargo ship 'Mikhail Britnev'. This vessel successfully transported the equipment through the Togolese port of Lomé, with a convoy of armored vehicles arriving in Bamako on July 25. The shipment included an array of military hardware such as Russian-made BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, Tigr armored vehicles, as well as Chinese-made VP11 armored vehicles. The 'Mikhail Britnev' departed from Baltiysk, Russia, on June 18 and reached Lomé on July 9. Following its arrival, the cargo was transported by road from Togo to Mali, consisting of trucks, armored personnel carriers, and infantry fighting vehicles. Notably, the vessel navigated from Baltiysk through the North Sea and into the English Channel. Reports from BBC Verify suggest that a Russian Project 775 Ropucha-class landing ship provided escort for the cargo ship during its transit through the Channel. Historically, Baltiysk has emerged as a key transit hub for vessels suspected of delivering Russian military supplies to West Africa. For instance, the m/v 'Sabetta' was tracked in February after loading military equipment at Baltiysk, which later docked at Conakry, a port associated with prior Russian arms deliveries in the region. Additionally, another cargo vessel, whose movements were not reported in public ship-tracking data, was observed loading military vehicles at Baltiysk on June 6. This indicates Russia’s ongoing military support for Mali’s ruling junta through the Africa Corps, which has taken over as Moscow’s primary military presence on the continent, succeeding the Wagner Group.

The sanctioned vessel Mikhail Britnev has successfully reached Lomé on July 9, 2026, after a lengthy journey that commenced in the Baltic Sea. The ship, which left Baltiysk in mid-June, was laden with a cargo of armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) and armored personnel carriers (APCs). During its passage from the Baltic through the Atlantic, the Mikhail Britnev was provided escort protection by the Russian Navy’s Project 775 landing ship, the Aleksandr Shabalin, which has recently been fitted with anti-drone mesh structures on its upper deck. Additionally, covert support was observed from the frigate Admiral Kasatonov and the tanker Akademik Pashin as they exited the Mediterranean, further ensuring safety against potential Ukrainian strikes. Initially, the Automated Identification System (AIS) indicated Dakar as the destination, but possible alternate routes included Conakry. Notably, the Mikhail Britnev operated in dark mode from June 23 until approaching Lomé, only reactivating its system right before docking at the port. For further details and photos, visit: https://theins.press/en/news/294909.

On June 19, 2026, the 'Aleksandr Shabalin,' the last operational large landing ship of the Russian Baltic Fleet, was spotted in the Baltic Sea near Fehmarn Island. It served as an escort for the freighter 'Mikhail Britnev,' which was reportedly transporting supplies to support the Russian Afrika Korps in Mali. The 'Aleksandr Shabalin' had previously been stationed at an observation point east of Fehmarn during the winter months, highlighting the strategic movements of Russian naval forces. Recent developments have shown a growing concern within the Russian navy regarding the effectiveness of Ukrainian drone attacks, which have prompted a significant shift in defensive tactics. To bolster their naval security, Russian ships are now being equipped with nets to protect vulnerable areas from drone strikes. For instance, the naval tanker 'Akademik Pashin' was seen with nets above its bridge in Oran, while similar precautions were taken by the 'Aleksandr Shabalin' in the Baltic Sea. The situation escalated after a recent assault on the Kronstadt naval base and the Primorsk oil port, leading to a fire on the frigate 'Boyki.' The nets on the 'Aleksandr Shabalin' were strategically placed over critical areas such as the funnels, engine room ventilators, and crew quarters. While the command bridge remains unencumbered by nets due to its armored structure and secure windows, personnel stationed on the upper deck during the journey across the Fehmarn Belt were armed and donned body armor and helmets for added protection. Additional machine guns were mounted on the ship's sides, indicating a heightened state of readiness. The 'Aleksandr Shabalin' is a Ropucha-class landing ship, one of four in the Russian Baltic Fleet. The other three vessels, 'Minsk,' 'Kaliningrad,' and 'Korolyov,' had been relocated from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea in January 2022, ahead of the invasion of Ukraine. This relocation was not without incident, as 'Minsk' suffered significant damage during Ukrainian attacks on Sevastopol in September 2023. For more details, please visit: https://www.kn-online.de/schleswig-holstein/russland-schuetzt-kriegsschiffe-auf-der-ostsee-mit-netzen-gegen-drohnen-MPKDZT3BERAH5HM723F3AZEVLQ.html