{"id":2140118,"date":"2026-09-11T16:47:32","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T13:47:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2140118"},"modified":"2026-09-11T16:47:32","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T13:47:32","slug":"russia-sends-sanctioned-ships-to-mediterranean-as-nato-tracks-syrian-express-convoy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2140118","title":{"rendered":"Russia sends sanctioned ships to Mediterranean as NATO tracks &#8216;Syrian Express&#8217; convoy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/01\/01\/1200x675_cmsv2_7fc23f7a-08fd-5b5b-8b1f-7afec493e2cd-9910101.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2924914-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2924914\" data-cid=\"9910186\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924914-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/00\/86\/189x106_cmsv2_f6ae47d8-6cb9-57a4-9950-beb984b00e5e-9910086.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"French President Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by Education Minister \u00c9douard Geffray, at the Chaptal lyc\u00e9e in Mende, in southern France.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    French father jailed for threatening to behead his son\u2019s teacher\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925035-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2925035\" data-cid=\"9910644\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925035-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/06\/44\/189x106_cmsv2_439a750c-fb96-5730-a4c3-2e5cc49ff457-9910644.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    France joins Slovakia in asking to delist Russian oligarch Usmanov\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925017-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2925017\" data-cid=\"9910602\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925017-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/06\/02\/189x106_cmsv2_aeda2190-00b3-573e-94c6-42d8367f36ee-9910602.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Campaigners gather to protest in support of assisted dying, in Parliament Square, central London, Friday 11 Sept., 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    UK Parliament votes down assisted dying bill in England and Wales\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924991-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2924991\" data-cid=\"9910394\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924991-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/03\/94\/189x106_cmsv2_06a35c45-d099-58b8-90c1-562ff451a967-9910394.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Police officers at Leipzig Airport search for a drone that may be connected to a suspected attack, August 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    NATO&#8217;s deterrence &#8216;weakened&#8217; by lack of response to Russian attacks\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924914-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2924914\" data-cid=\"9910186\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924914-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/00\/86\/189x106_cmsv2_f6ae47d8-6cb9-57a4-9950-beb984b00e5e-9910086.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"French President Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by Education Minister \u00c9douard Geffray, at the Chaptal lyc\u00e9e in Mende, in southern France.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    French father jailed for threatening to behead his son\u2019s teacher\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925035-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2925035\" data-cid=\"9910644\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925035-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/06\/44\/189x106_cmsv2_439a750c-fb96-5730-a4c3-2e5cc49ff457-9910644.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    France joins Slovakia in asking to delist Russian oligarch Usmanov\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925017-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2925017\" data-cid=\"9910602\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925017-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/06\/02\/189x106_cmsv2_aeda2190-00b3-573e-94c6-42d8367f36ee-9910602.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Campaigners gather to protest in support of assisted dying, in Parliament Square, central London, Friday 11 Sept., 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    UK Parliament votes down assisted dying bill in England and Wales\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924991-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2924991\" data-cid=\"9910394\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924991-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/03\/94\/189x106_cmsv2_06a35c45-d099-58b8-90c1-562ff451a967-9910394.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Police officers at Leipzig Airport search for a drone that may be connected to a suspected attack, August 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    NATO&#8217;s deterrence &#8216;weakened&#8217; by lack of response to Russian attacks\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          News<\/p>\n<p>                          World<\/p>\n<p>                          Syria<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Russia sends sanctioned ships to Mediterranean as NATO tracks &#8216;Syrian Express&#8217; convoy<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/01\/01\/1536x864_cmsv2_7fc23f7a-08fd-5b5b-8b1f-7afec493e2cd-9910101.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Four Russian ships belonging to the Syrian express\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Four Russian ships belonging to the Syrian express<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Military source<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Military source\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspEstelle Nilsson-Julien\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1789145252\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-09-11 18:47:32 +02:00\">11\/09\/2026 &#8211; 18:47 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-share-comment-popup\" 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loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Four Russian ships, including sanctioned cargo and tanker vessels escorted by a destroyer, entered the Mediterranean via Gibraltar on 27 August, ending the first interruption of Russia&#8217;s naval presence there since 2013.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Russia&#8217;s navy has returned to the Mediterranean for the first time in two months, ending what military sources described as the first interruption to its Mediterranean presence since 2013 \u2014 with ships reportedly detected switching off their tracking transponders before passing through the Strait of Gibraltar.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior European military source said the &#8220;Syrian Express&#8221; ships had arrived at the Syrian port of Tartus on Monday. <\/p>\n<p>The informal name &#8220;Syrian Express&#8221; refers to Moscow&#8217;s maritime logistics network that transfers military supplies, weapons, and equipment between Russian ports and Tartus.<\/p>\n<p>It has been running intermittently since Russia&#8217;s military intervention in Syria in 2015, frequently involving sanctioned vessels that have also been associated with Russia&#8217;s broader shadow fleet, which Moscow uses to circumvent Western sanctions.<\/p>\n<p>The latest Russian convoy included the sanctioned cargo vessel Sparta, the sanctioned tanker General Skobelev, and the replenishment ship Akademik Pashin, all escorted by the destroyer Admiral Levchenko.<\/p>\n<h2>Tight European surveillance<\/h2>\n<p>Despite its return to the Mediterranean, Russia&#8217;s navy remains under tight European surveillance. <\/p>\n<p>The ships in question were closely tracked by the Italian Carabinieri frigate as they sailed through the central Mediterranean after they were spotted at Gibraltar. <\/p>\n<p>Euronews obtained exclusive photos of the Italian frigate alongside the Russian ships.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5630914826498423\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/01\/01\/808x454_cmsv2_5eed8e99-5dac-55de-9495-a6739e57e2c7-9910101.jpg\" alt=\" Euronews obtained exclusive photos of the Italian Carabiniere frigate, alongside the Syrian express ships\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\"> Euronews obtained exclusive photos of the Italian Carabiniere frigate, alongside the Syrian express ships<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Military source<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Tracking data from the specialised website MarineTraffic indicates that the vessels switched off their automatic identification system (AIS) transponders \u2014 which automatically broadcast ships&#8217; identity, position, speed, and course \u2014 before passing through the Strait of Gibraltar.<\/p>\n<p>Britain deployed three ships \u2014 HMS Duncan, HMS St Albans and HMS Severn \u2014 to monitor the convoy as it sailed through the English Channel.<\/p>\n<p>The military source told Euronews that in recent months, Syrian express ships have begun cutting off AIS transponders even &#8220;more frequently&#8221; than in the past, with this practice almost becoming &#8220;systematic&#8221;.<\/p>\n<h2>Russia retains post-al-Assad presence in Syria<\/h2>\n<p>Tartus is Russia&#8217;s only naval base outside the former Soviet Union and its sole resupply and maintenance point in the Mediterranean. <\/p>\n<p>The Soviet Union established the facility in 1971 under a lease agreement with Damascus, using it to sustain its Mediterranean fleet during the Cold War.<\/p>\n<p>Russia intervened militarily in Syria in September 2015, entering the country&#8217;s civil war on the side of Bashar al-Assad at a moment when his forces were losing ground to opposition groups.<\/p>\n<p>Moscow initially said its strikes were targeting the so-called Islamic State terrorist group, but international organisations documented that the majority of Russian air strikes hit opposition-held civilian areas, with the Airwars monitoring group assessing that those strikes resulted in the deaths of more than 14,000 Syrian civilians.<\/p>\n<p>The nine-year campaign in Syria was the Kremlin&#8217;s most significant military participation in a war outside the former Soviet Union before its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.<\/p>\n<p>When the al-Assad regime finally collapsed in December 2024, Russian warships evacuated from Tartus within days \u2014 a precautionary move to avoid being seized or denied departure.<\/p>\n<p>In August, Damascus announced it had reached a deal with Moscow to retain Russia&#8217;s future presence in the two military bases it has in the country. <\/p>\n<p>On 9 August, Syria\u2019s state news agency SANA quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying the Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base would become \u201cjoint training and capacity-building centres\u201d under new arrangements aimed at preserving &#8220;mutual interests&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>The senior European military source outlined several factors which are hindering Moscow&#8217;s ability to maintain its presence in the Mediterranean including Russia&#8217;s ageing navy, European sanctions against its shadow fleet, as well as Ukrainian naval and aerial drones targeting its Black Sea fleet. <\/p>\n<p>European and Ukrainian pressure on the shadow fleet is also pushing Russia to deploy military escorts for its oil tankers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Sweden to hand over Russian &#8216;shadow fleet&#8217; ship to Ukraine, court documents show<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Russia&#8217;s &#8216;shadow fleet&#8217; of tankers reported in Danish waters almost daily in 2025, Denmark says<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Two ships of Russia&#8217;s sanctioned shadow fleet caught fire in the Black Sea off T\u00fcrkiye<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  tracking<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Ships<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Russia<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Ukraine<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2924878-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924878\" data-cid=\"9909793\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924878-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/97\/93\/320x180_cmsv2_4f78d731-2f99-5d0b-a6c8-e61e17f47781-9909793.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukraine is seeking to purchase Patriot interceptors.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU pledges \u20ac6.1bn for Ukraine, including aid for Patriot interceptors<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925035-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925035\" data-cid=\"9910644\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925035-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/06\/44\/320x180_cmsv2_439a750c-fb96-5730-a4c3-2e5cc49ff457-9910644.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    France joins Slovakia in asking to delist Russian oligarch Usmanov<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925017-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925017\" data-cid=\"9910602\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925017-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/06\/02\/320x180_cmsv2_aeda2190-00b3-573e-94c6-42d8367f36ee-9910602.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Campaigners gather to protest in support of assisted dying, in Parliament Square, central London, Friday 11 Sept., 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    UK Parliament votes down assisted dying bill in England and Wales<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2924742-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924742\" data-cid=\"9909145\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924742-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/91\/45\/320x180_cmsv2_92428fd9-3311-5d0a-85ad-712fcbe66105-9909145.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The aftermath of the 9\/11 attacks on New York&apos;s World Trade Center\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    25 years on, 9\/11 continues to cast a long shadow over the US<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2924896-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924896\" data-cid=\"9909908\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924896-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/99\/08\/320x180_cmsv2_9d17efba-04ce-51c6-af32-36ff48811b1f-9909908.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A Houthi fighter adjusts his machine gun during a mobilisation campaign in Sana&apos;a, 10 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Houthis seize key island in Bab el-Mandeb, take control of the strait<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2924612-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924612\" data-cid=\"9908448\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    NATO allies successfully foil Russian undersea cable sabotage mission<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2924409-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924409\" data-cid=\"9907469\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The best airports in the world ranked \u2013 and number one is in Europe<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2924803-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924803\" data-cid=\"9909441\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Algeria closes its airspace to UAE after ending diplomatic ties<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2924588-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924588\" data-cid=\"9908384\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    TV star Sarah Khalifa faces death penalty in Egypt \u2014 what comes next?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2924728-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924728\" data-cid=\"9909170\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spanish parliament backs citizenship law for Western Saharans<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924878-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924878\" data-cid=\"9909793\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924878-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/97\/93\/320x180_cmsv2_4f78d731-2f99-5d0b-a6c8-e61e17f47781-9909793.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukraine is seeking to purchase Patriot interceptors.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU pledges \u20ac6.1bn for Ukraine, including aid for Patriot interceptors<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925035-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925035\" data-cid=\"9910644\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925035-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/06\/44\/320x180_cmsv2_439a750c-fb96-5730-a4c3-2e5cc49ff457-9910644.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    France joins Slovakia in asking to delist Russian oligarch Usmanov<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925017-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925017\" data-cid=\"9910602\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925017-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/06\/02\/320x180_cmsv2_aeda2190-00b3-573e-94c6-42d8367f36ee-9910602.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Campaigners gather to protest in support of assisted dying, in Parliament Square, central London, Friday 11 Sept., 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    UK Parliament votes down assisted dying bill in England and Wales<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924742-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924742\" data-cid=\"9909145\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924742-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/91\/45\/320x180_cmsv2_92428fd9-3311-5d0a-85ad-712fcbe66105-9909145.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The aftermath of the 9\/11 attacks on New York&apos;s World Trade Center\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    25 years on, 9\/11 continues to cast a long shadow over the US<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924896-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924896\" data-cid=\"9909908\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924896-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/99\/08\/320x180_cmsv2_9d17efba-04ce-51c6-af32-36ff48811b1f-9909908.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A Houthi fighter adjusts his machine gun during a mobilisation campaign in Sana&apos;a, 10 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Houthis seize key island in Bab el-Mandeb, take control of the strait<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924612-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924612\" data-cid=\"9908448\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    NATO allies successfully foil Russian undersea cable sabotage mission<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924409-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924409\" data-cid=\"9907469\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The best airports in the world ranked \u2013 and number one is in Europe<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924803-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924803\" data-cid=\"9909441\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Algeria closes its airspace to UAE after ending diplomatic ties<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924588-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924588\" data-cid=\"9908384\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    TV star Sarah Khalifa faces death penalty in Egypt \u2014 what comes next?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924728-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924728\" data-cid=\"9909170\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spanish parliament backs citizenship law for Western Saharans<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Russia&#8217;s navy has returned to the Mediterranean for the first time in two months, ending what military sources described as the first interruption to its Mediterranean presence since 2013 \u2014 with ships reportedly detected switching off their tracking transponders before passing through the Strait of Gibraltar.Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior European military source said the &#8220;Syrian Express&#8221; ships had arrived at the Syrian port of Tartus on Monday.The informal name &#8220;Syrian Express&#8221; refers to Moscow&#8217;s maritime logistics network that transfers military supplies, weapons, and equipment between Russian ports and Tartus.It has been running intermittently since Russia&#8217;s military intervention in Syria in 2015, frequently involving sanctioned vessels that have also been associated with Russia&#8217;s broader shadow fleet, which Moscow uses to circumvent Western sanctions.The latest Russian convoy included the sanctioned cargo vessel Sparta, the sanctioned tanker General Skobelev, and the replenishment ship Akademik Pashin, all escorted by the destroyer Admiral Levchenko.Tight European surveillanceDespite its return to the Mediterranean, Russia&#8217;s navy remains under tight European surveillance.\u00a0The ships in question were closely tracked by the Italian Carabinieri frigate as they sailed through the central Mediterranean after they were spotted at Gibraltar.Euronews obtained exclusive photos of the Italian frigate alongside the Russian ships.Tracking data from the specialised website MarineTraffic indicates that the vessels switched off their automatic identification system (AIS) transponders \u2014 which automatically broadcast ships&#8217; identity, position, speed, and course \u2014 before passing through the Strait of Gibraltar.Britain deployed three ships \u2014 HMS Duncan, HMS St Albans and HMS Severn \u2014 to monitor the convoy as it sailed through the English Channel.The military source told Euronews that in recent months, Syrian express ships have begun cutting off AIS transponders even &#8220;more frequently&#8221; than in the past, with this practice almost becoming &#8220;systematic&#8221;.Russia retains post-al-Assad presence in SyriaTartus is Russia&#8217;s only naval base outside the former Soviet Union and its sole resupply and maintenance point in the Mediterranean.The Soviet Union established the facility in 1971 under a lease agreement with Damascus, using it to sustain its Mediterranean fleet during the Cold War.Russia intervened militarily in Syria in September 2015, entering the country&#8217;s civil war on the side of Bashar al-Assad at a moment when his forces were losing ground to opposition groups.Moscow initially said its strikes were targeting the so-called Islamic State terrorist group, but international organisations documented that the majority of Russian air strikes hit opposition-held civilian areas, with the Airwars monitoring group assessing that those strikes resulted in the deaths of more than 14,000 Syrian civilians.The nine-year campaign in Syria was the Kremlin&#8217;s most significant military participation in a war outside the former Soviet Union before its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.When the al-Assad regime finally collapsed in December 2024, Russian warships evacuated from Tartus within days \u2014 a precautionary move to avoid being seized or denied departure.In August, Damascus announced it had reached a deal with Moscow to retain Russia&#8217;s future presence in the two military bases it has in the country.On 9 August, Syria\u2019s state news agency SANA quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying the Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base would become \u201cjoint training and capacity-building centres\u201d under new arrangements aimed at preserving &#8220;mutual interests&#8221;.The senior European military source outlined several factors which are hindering Moscow&#8217;s ability to maintain its presence in the Mediterranean including Russia&#8217;s ageing navy, European sanctions against its shadow fleet, as well as Ukrainian naval and aerial drones targeting its Black Sea fleet.European and Ukrainian pressure on the shadow fleet is also pushing Russia to deploy military escorts for its oil tankers.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/09\/11\/russia-sends-sanctioned-ships-to-mediterranean-as-nato-tracks-syrian-express-convoy&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/01\/01\/1200x675_cmsv2_7fc23f7a-08fd-5b5b-8b1f-7afec493e2cd-9910101.jpg&#8221;] Europe News French father jailed for threatening to behead his son\u2019s teacher Europe News France joins Slovakia in asking to delist Russian oligarch Usmanov Europe News UK Parliament votes down assisted dying bill in England and Wales Europe News NATO&#8217;s deterrence &#8216;weakened&#8217; by lack of response to Russian attacks Europe News French 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