The Russian cargo ship Sparta IV has disappeared from satellite navigation: since the early hours of this morning, Monday, February 9, the arms transport vessel, which is under the control of the Kremlin's Ministry of Defense, has deactivated the transponder that allows its route to be tracked using open sources.

Since last Tuesday evening, escorted by the destroyer Severomorsk and the support ship Kama, it has been sailing up and down the eastern coast of Sardinia: first off Ogliastra, then for two days further north, off Capo Comino, before returning to the Gulf of Orosei and then switching off its tracking.

These movements were closely monitored by the Italian Navy frigate Spartaco Schergat , which remained a short distance from the shadow fleet.

This morning, a Beechcraft B.350ER Spydr, a military aircraft used for patrolling and monitoring large stretches of sea, also took off from Pratica di Mare: it flew in circles for a long time above the Russian group before returning to base.

Enrico Fresu

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