Russia’s ghost ships haunt Libya - ICIJ

A Cameroonian -flagged cargo ship, the Barbaros , crossed the Bosphorus in April 2024 .

It was en route to a port in eastern Libya controlled by a warlord whose forces have been accused of crimes against humanity by a U.N. fact-finding mission.

Leaked documents show how commercial vessels employed a range of tricks to avoid detection.

Russia ’s intervention in Libya , partly enabled by operations of its ghost fleet, has expanded significantly since early 2024 , according to European officials.

“What we don’t do in the East , Russia will do,” said EU Ambassador to Libya Nicola Orlando .

Libya represents “an immediate security issue for Europe ’ — Anas El Gomati , director of the Tripoli -based Sadeq Institute .