Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Shadow Fleet Vessel Carrying Iranian Arms Off Libya
A Russian shadow fleet ship carrying Iranian weapons and ammunition was disabled off the coast of Libya following a strike by Ukrainian drones. The vessel, Lady Maria, reportedly sustained 12 hits to its engines.
A Russian shadow fleet vessel carrying Iranian-made weapons and ammunition destined for Russian forces has been severely damaged and disabled off the coast of Libya.
According to Russian journalist Alexander Nevzorov, Ukrainian drones struck the vessel, named Lady Maria, 12 times, completely disabling its engines. Footage released by the Ukrainian military documented multiple strikes on the ship.
Sanctions and Ownership Structure
According to maritime databases Equasis and the International Maritime Organization, the vessel has been commercially managed by Cyprus-based Azia Shipping Holdings Ltd since April 21, while Vladivostok-based Azia Shipping Co serves as its safety manager. Both companies are currently under US sanctions.
In June, the vessel was documented loading weapons in North Korea for the Russian military. Maritime records show it reverted to its former name, Lev Yashin, in April, after sailing under the name Maria since September 2023.
Military Logistics Connections
These same two companies originally managed the vessel when it joined the Rason weapons smuggling program in September 2023, according to Equasis. However, management control was transferred to Russia's JSC Sovfracht, which also owns the sanctioned vessel Lady R, on September 26 of that year.
Sovfracht has deep ties to the Russian military and was previously suspected of involvement in supplying aviation fuel to Russian forces operating in Syria.
