EU naval mission fails to stop illegal arms shipments from Russia to Libya, investigation finds

The European naval mission Irini, which was supposed to prevent the supply of weapons to Libya, turned out to be unable to stop illegal shipments from Russia.

Despite the embargo imposed by the UN back in 2011, Russia continues to supply weapons to the territory controlled by General Khalifa Haftar in the eastern part of Libya. This is stated in a large-scale journalistic investigation by L’Espresso and ICIJ, writes Bankier.

At the same time, the European mission for the control of maritime space is not only informed about these deliveries, but also appears to be unable to stop them.

In the center of attention is the ship Barbaros, which in April 2024 passed the Bosphorus with military cargo, heading to Libya under the Cameroonian flag. Independent analyst Yoruk Isik recorded its passage and published a photo on social networks, noting that Russian-made trucks with potential military use are being transported on board.

At the same time, the ship repeatedly turned off its AIS while in the Mediterranean, a practice widely used to evade surveillance. According to information released by the ICIJ, intelligence data confirmed that the Barbaros could be carrying firearms, but no action was taken by the Irini mission.

Additional documents in the possession of the ICIJ also highlight systematic manipulation of AIS, including by at least ten Russian ships in 2024. Violations were recorded even after dictator Bashar al-Assad fled Syria for Moscow in December last year.

EU military reports warn that eastern Libya, controlled by Haftar’s forces, is increasingly turning into a strategic outpost for Russia in North Africa, from where it is expanding towards the countries of Central Africa.

Recall that Interpol previously reported that Russia is supplying weapons to Libya using a “shadow fleet.”