Russia is Sending Oil to Cuba, Providing Intel to Iran

Is Russia looking for conflict with the United States? Several recent reports suggest it is doing its best to continue to help its allies, Cuba and Iran.

Earlier this month there was a report that Russia was providing Iran with intelligence which could be used to target US service members.

Russia is providing Iran with targeting information to attack American forces in the Middle East, the first indication that another major U.S. adversary is participating — even indirectly — in the war, according to three officials familiar with the intelligence…

Since the war began Saturday, Russia has passed Iran the locations of U.S. military assets, including warships and aircraft, said the three officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the matter’s sensitivity.

“It does seem like it’s a pretty comprehensive effort,” one of the people said.

Yesterday the Wall Street Journal reported that same activity is still happening. In fact Russia’s efforts appear to be expanding to include the transfer of new drone technology.

Russia has been expanding its intelligence sharing and military cooperation with Iran, providing satellite imagery and improved drone technology to aid Tehran’s targeting of U.S. forces in the region, people familiar with the matter said.

Russia is trying to keep its closest Middle Eastern partner in the fight against U.S. and Israeli military might and prolong a war that is benefiting Russia militarily and economically.

The technology provided includes components of modified Shahed drones, which are meant to improve communication, navigation and targeting, the people said. Russia has also been drawing on its experience using drones in Ukraine, offering tactical guidance on how many drones should be used in operations and what altitudes they should strike from, said the people, who included a senior European intelligence officer.

Russia has been providing Iran with the locations of U.S. military forces in the Middle East as well as those of its regional allies, The Wall Street Journal has reported. That cooperation has deepened in early days of the war, with Russia recently providing satellite imagery directly to Iran, said two of the people, the officer and a Middle Eastern diplomat.

Russia stands to gain directly from the war because it has caused the price of oil to shoot up which should help Russia sell its main export at a higher price. The longer the fight with Iran drags on, the longer the price will remain high.

Simultaneously, Russia has been shipping oil to Cuba using various spoofing tactics to hide the transfers.

Two vessels heading for energy-starved Cuba carrying Russian oil and fuel are due to arrive as early as next week in defiance of US President Donald Trump’s energy embargo, according to maritime intelligence companies…

The Hong Kong-flagged Sea Horse, believed to be carrying some 27,000 tonnes of Russian gas, was headed towards the island after appearing to divert course last month. The ship is estimated to arrive in Cuba on Monday, Samir Madani, co-founder of maritime intelligence company TankerTrackers.com, told the FT.

The Russian-flagged Anatoly Kolodkin, carrying some 100,000 metric tons of crude — equivalent to 725,000 to 728,000 barrels depending on oil grade — was estimated to arrive in Cuba on April 4, Madani added.

Fox News has more on how the dark fleet tankers hide their movements while at sea.

…the Russian oil tanker initially broadcast Havana as its destination on Feb. 7, and was “Hong Kong-flagged” before quietly changing tack.

The vessel altered its Automatic Identification System (AIS) signal to show it would arrive in the “Caribbean Sea” within two weeks — a vague designation the firm said is often used to hide a ship’s final port of call.

It’s likely that all of this is just Putin’s retaliation for US involvement in Ukraine, plus the aforementioned economic benefits to Russia if it can keep oil prices high. Cuba has long been a spy haven for Russia and more recently for China. Perhaps he’s also working to ensure whatever listening posts Russia has there don’t get torn down as part of a deal with the US. 

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