Russia redeployed S-300 SAM systems from Syria to Black Sea — OSINT research

Russia is transferring SAM systems from Syria to the theater of operations in Ukraine, which is a higher priority for it. Satellite imagery confirmed that Russia redeployed an S-300 surface-to-air missile system from Syria.

Observers believe the air defense battery is already in transit through the Black Sea to support Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The Warzone reported about this.

S-300 battery arrived in Syria in 2018. At the same time, those systems in transit were not withdrawn from the Russian Federation’s bases or ports in Syria. They were located inside the country but were supposed to protect critical Syrian targets.

While it was claimed to be a Syrian system, evidently Russia managed to retain control of it.

Private intelligence firm ImageSat Intl. released imagery showing the battery’s now-empty garrison near Masyaf, Syria, on Friday August 25. Accompanying imagery taken on August 17 caught the battery’s vehicles lined up neatly in Tartus at Russia’s naval base, with the cargo ship Sparta II waiting across the harbour.

The ship did not stay in the port for long. On the night of August 24, the ship passed through the Bosphorus, with well-known ship spotter Yörük Işık (@YorukIsik) posting video from the transit.

.@USTreasury designated [UKRAINE-EO13685], @mod_russia owned Oboronlogistika's, civilian crewed Russian flag roro Sparta II transited Bosphorus towards Med en route from #Tartus #Syria to Novorossiysk carrying military cargo. @egetulca pic.twitter.com/fsGlSfz4i8

— Yörük Işık (@YorukIsik) August 27, 2022

The grounds on which the ship crossed the Bosphorus are currently unknown. Previously, Turkey closed the Straits to warships, pursuant to the 1936 Montreaux Convention.

The media reports that, according to satellite tracking, the ship was moving towards Novorossiysk, the main base of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation.

At the same time, it is not known exactly where this S-300 battery is moving. It is likely that the Russians will deploy it near the front line in Ukraine or in the occupied Crimea.

They note that the transfer of the S-300 missile system from Syria indicates Russia’s urgent need for air defense equipment: as well as the higher priority for Russians of the war in Ukraine in comparison with the Syrian presence.

As previously reported, the Pentagon ordered NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems for Ukraine worth more than $182 million.