Russian ships filmed carrying military hardware through the English Channel

New video captured by the Sky News helicopter shows Russian ships carrying military equipment through the English Channel. 

The ships, Sparta and Sparta 2, are currently carrying military equipment from Syria, where the country was forced to close its naval base following the recent fall of dictator Bashar al Assad.

Both ships are owned by Oboronlogistika LLC, a company that operates on behalf of the Russian Ministry of Defence. In 2022, the US government sanctioned both vessels.

Location data from Marine Traffic shows that the ships entered the English Channel at around 9.30am on 13 February.

While passing through the waterway, they have been closely shadowed by the British naval vessel RFA Tideforce, which began tailing the ships on 12 February.

While it does not appear to have been broadcasting its location, Sky News was also able to capture footage of the Russian Naval ship RFS Aleksandr Otrakovskiy as it accompanied Sparta and Sparta 2.

RFS Aleksandr Otrakovskiy is a Ropucha class ship, which is armed and designed to facilitate beach landings.

Russia's base in the Syrian town of Tartus was its only naval foothold in the Mediterranean.

Established by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and modernised in 2012, it served as an important outpost for refuelling and repairs.

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After the fall of the Assad regime, the base was hurriedly evacuated.

Satellite imagery from the time showed large amounts of military equipment and vehicles assembled along its pier, awaiting transport.

(c) Sky News 2025: Russian ships filmed carrying military hardware through the English Channel