A Russian vessel under U.S. sanctions violates the U.N. arms embargo on Libya

At the eastern Libyan port of Tobruk, the general cargo vessel MYS ZHELANIYA (IMO 9366110), sailing under the Russian flag, was recorded arriving on Jan. 16, 2026, before departing the port on the morning of Jan. 18 at 06:31 UTC.

At first glance, the movement appeared to be a routine commercial voyage. However, the case sparked controversy after it emerged that the vessel is subject to U.S. sanctions, amid circulating claims on social media that it was carrying an arms shipment to eastern Libya.

In this investigation, Misbar’s team at Al Araby TV tracks the vessel’s route, analyzes recent satellite imagery, and reviews the legal framework of the United Nations arms embargo on Libya, under which any weapons transfer would constitute a violation of international law.

U.S. Sanctions and Legal Status of the Vessel

The U.S. Treasury Department, through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), has designated MYS ZHELANIYA (IMO 9366110) on its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List, linking it to TRANSSTROY Limited Liability Company.

Under this designation, the vessel is treated under U.S. jurisdiction as “blocked property.” Any property or interests belonging to it that fall within U.S. jurisdiction, or that are in the possession or control of a U.S. person, must be frozen. U.S. persons are also prohibited from engaging in transactions with the vessel, providing services to it, or facilitating dealings involving it, unless explicitly authorized or exempted by OFAC.

Tracking data show that the sanctioned vessel arrived at Tobruk port on Jan. 16, 2026, at 07:14 UTC, remained within the port area, and then departed on the morning of Jan. 18, 2026, at 04:31 UTC.

Vessel Route and Points of Origin

This movement followed a route that began near the port of Arkhangelsk in northern Russia in early December 2025. The port had previously drawn international scrutiny after observers reported the docking of the cargo vessel Maia-1, which was alleged to have transported containers of weapons and ammunition from North Korea to Russia.

Arkhangelsk is also home to a military-linked entity affiliated with Oboronlogistika, which operates across multiple sites in Russia. The United States has designated the company as connected to the Russian Ministry of Defense, describing it as part of a logistics network supporting the ministry’s transportation, storage, and supply needs, including goods of military or “special” purpose. The company has been sanctioned under Executive Order 14024.

The vessel’s departure from Arkhangelsk provides strong indications of a potential military-related shipment. Maritime tracking data show that MYS ZHELANIYA appeared at its second stop on Jan. 1, 2026, near the port of Kaliningrad—Russia’s only Baltic Sea port—before sailing south through Western Europe, transiting the Strait of Gibraltar, and entering the eastern Mediterranean en route to Tobruk. After leaving Tobruk, the vessel was observed on Jan. 21 in the Sea of Marmara, heading toward the Russian port of Novorossiysk.

Draft Changes Recorded During the Voyage

Draft readings in tracking data show two notable changes. The first occurred after the vessel departed Baltiysk, near Kaliningrad, where its draft on Jan. 1, 2026, was recorded at 6.4 meters, down from a previous reading of 6.6 meters, indicating a reduction after leaving the departure area.

The second change was recorded after the vessel left Tobruk. On Jan. 16, 2026, near the port, the vessel’s draft was measured at 6.4 meters. After departure, the draft dropped to approximately 6.2 meters during transit, a change that may indicate the unloading of part of its cargo.

Satellite Images Show Activity at Tobruk Port

Satellite images of Tobruk port captured on Jan. 16 and 17, 2026, show a cargo vessel docked alongside the quay in a nearly fixed position across both days, consistent with an extended mooring rather than a brief stopover.

Wider imagery from Jan. 16 shows activity on the quay adjacent to the vessel, including parked vehicles in the upper section of the yard and the movement of trucks and trailers near the docking area.

Closer imagery from Jan. 17 shows several heavy vehicles distributed along the quay near the vessel’s coordinates. Among them appear to be semi-trailers carrying vehicles and long, box-shaped units mounted on trucks, configurations consistent with the transport of large equipment, including military hardware. Two dark-colored heavy trucks equipped with extended loading platforms are visible, a design typically used for oversized loads and sometimes associated with military logistics, though no definitive identification can be made in this case.

Analysts Assess Possible Military Equipment

Open-source specialists have suggested that the equipment visible may be linked to a Russian S-400 Triumf air defense system. This assessment is based on comparisons of the general shape of the heavy vehicles and relative measurements using nearby civilian vehicles, such as a Toyota pickup estimated at around 5.5 meters in length, while accounting for shadow distortion. These comparisons led analysts to suggest that some of the vehicles may match the specifications of radar units associated with the system.

To further verify the vessel’s identity, Misbar conducted an additional check by measuring the length of the ship visible in the satellite imagery while docked at the quay. The measurement closely matched the vessel’s declared length of approximately 143 meters, reinforcing the assessment that the ship present at the quay was indeed MYS ZHELANIYA, near which potentially military equipment was observed.

Haftar and Russian Military Cooperation

Media reports have indicated that Khalifa Haftar has sought to acquire Russian air defense systems as part of broader efforts to formalize military cooperation with Moscow. These efforts followed meetings held in Russia in late September 2023, according to Bloomberg.

In a subsequent step along the same track, Khaled Haftar signed what was described as a “strategic” military cooperation agreement with Russia in Moscow on May 5, covering areas such as training, logistical support, and coordination, according to Italy’s Agenzia Nova.

U.N. Arms Embargo on Libya

Arms transfers to Libya remain subject to a United Nations arms embargo imposed by the Security Council in 2011, which prohibits the supply of weapons and related materiel to Libya except under specific exemptions and procedures overseen by the United Nations.

The Security Council regularly reaffirms the strict enforcement of the embargo, including on the high seas off the Libyan coast. In November, Resolution 2804 (2025) extended the mandates related to enforcing the embargo for an additional six months from the date of its adoption.

Summary of Key Findings

• The general cargo vessel MYS ZHELANIYA (IMO 9366110) arrived at Tobruk port on Jan. 16, 2026, at 07:14 UTC, remained in port, and departed on Jan. 18, 2026, at 04:31 UTC.
• The vessel is designated by the U.S. Treasury Department on the SDN List and linked to TRANSSTROY Limited Liability Company.
• Its route began near Arkhangelsk in northern Russia in early December 2025, appeared near Kaliningrad on Jan. 1, 2026, and continued south to Tobruk.
• Draft readings show an initial decrease from 6.6 meters to 6.4 meters after leaving Baltiysk near Kaliningrad, followed by a second decrease after departing Tobruk to about 6.2 meters while underway.
• Satellite imagery from Jan. 16 and 17 shows a vessel docked in a fixed position with truck, trailer, and heavy-vehicle activity near the quay.
• Analysts have suggested that some of the heavy vehicles observed may be linked to a Russian S-400 air defense system, a development that would conflict with the U.N. arms embargo on Libya, whose enforcement mandates were extended under Security Council Resolution 2804 (2025).

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