New Russian Convoy Arrives in Libya Carrying Military Equipment

A new Russian maritime convoy delivered a batch of military and logistical equipment to the Libyan port of Tobruk.

The OSINT project Russia Maritime Watch reported this.

The convoy consisted of the cargo ships ANASTASIIA and YURIY ARSHENEVSKIY, escorted by the Project 775 large landing ship Aleksandr Shabalin.

Images released from the port show armored personnel carriers, mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles, trucks, and other logistical equipment.

After unloading at the port, a convoy of vehicles set out westward, including at least three Ural-63706-0010 Tornado-U armored trucks.

During the voyage across the Mediterranean, the vessels did not transmit publicly available Automatic Identification System (AIS) data. Neither the Russian nor Libyan sides officially disclosed the cargo’s contents or its final recipient.

The first reports of Russian mercenaries in Libya emerged in 2018. At the time, Wagner Group fighters arrived to repair armored vehicles and provide military support to the Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar.

Later, Russian mercenaries joined Haftar’s forces in combat operations, including the offensive on Tripoli. The presence in Libya allowed Moscow to support allied forces and establish a logistical route to other African countries.

After the reorganization of the Wagner Group, the Africa Corps under the Russian Ministry of Defense took over its role in the region.

An August 11, 2026, article by Africa Defense Forum reports that Moscow is currently developing infrastructure at six Libyan air bases: Al-Jufra, Al-Khadim, Al-Qardabiyah, Brak al-Shati, Maaten al-Sarra, and Tamanhint.

Russia is funding construction work and providing personnel to develop these facilities. The bases host Russian military personnel and mercenaries, air defense systems, MiG-29 fighter jets, and drones.

Some of these facilities are used to transfer weapons and personnel to other regions of Africa. In particular, Maaten al-Sarra Air Base, located near the borders with Chad and Sudan, could support Russian operations in Sudan and the Sahel countries.

Reports also described Russia’s plans to invest in developing the port and air base in Tobruk. The arrival of the new convoy and the subsequent movement of the equipment inland confirm the city’s growing role in Russian military logistics.

In January 2026, the sanctioned Mys Zhelaniya ship had already delivered military cargo to Tobruk, escorted by a Project 1155 large anti-submarine ship.