July 7, 2009

Russian Battle Tanks Tracked to South Sudan

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Remember those 33 Russian battle tanks discovered last September aboard a Ukrainian ship seajacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia? The ship and the crew of the MV Faina were ultimately ransomed and released, but their load of weaponry continued on its way to Kenyan port of Mombasa amid suspicions that its cargo was ultimately bound for South Sudan. Thanks to Jane’s researchers, we now know this to be true. Studying commercial satellite photographs, analysts Lauren Gelfand and Allison Puccioni tracked the tanks to their current location in, yes, South Sudan. Just what the region needs: more ways for people to kill other people. The bulk of the Jane’s article is for subscribers only, but you can find a good summary at Danger Room. 

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