This complex analysis is focusing on mapping one of many Russian military supply roots in Africa.
Between June 12 and 17, 2026, satellite imagery revealed a dark vessel that had been loaded with military equipment at the Baltiysk Naval Base. Based on overall appearance and dimensions, the identified dark ship is a Russian-flagged general cargo vessel Mikhail Britnev (IMO 9081370, MMSI 273299250), sanctioned by the US in 2024.
After the vessel departed Baltiysk Naval Base, SpaceKnow Guardian tracked its movement through the Baltic Sea, the Great Belt Strait, and the English Channel using trajectory search and low resolution satellite imagery. The satellite imagery depicts Mikhail Britnev being escorted by another vessel – most likely the Russian landing ship Aleksandr Shabalin – operating with its AIS transponder turned off. On June 23, 2026, after passing through the English Channel, Mikhail Britnev turned his AIS transponder off and remained dark for the next 15 days while being on his way for the Port of Lomé.
The vessel reached its planned destination on July 9, 2026. In high-resolution satellite imagery from July 9–12, 2026, the vessel was observed unloading military vehicles at the Port of Lomé while transmitting AIS data. The vehicles were then transported across Togo and through Burkina Faso to Mali.
The analysis demonstrates how, by using satellite imagery, AIS data, and algorithms, SpaceKnow Guardian can track sanctioned vessels and the activities they are involved in.
