A Russian LNG tanker, the 'Marshall Vasilevsky', was found to be… (танкер · пулемёт · досье)
A Russian LNG tanker, the 'Marshall Vasilevsky', was found to be equipped with heavy weapons including 12.7mm machine guns, according to reports from Estonia's border service and The Times. The vessel, owned by Gazprom and used for regasification, is reportedly the only known civilian ship armed in this manner. The placement of weapons is speculated to be for defense against Ukrainian maritime drones and as a signal to the West.
Consensus
- The Russian tanker 'Marshall Vasilevsky' was equipped with heavy weapons
- The tanker is owned by Gazprom and is used for regasification of LNG
- The weapons installed are 12.7mm machine guns of the 'Kord' type
- The vessel operates in the Baltic Sea region
Points of divergence
- The ship's crew included individuals with experience in Russian security forces, including Rosgvardia and FSB — vm
- The installation of weapons is a demonstration of measures to protect energy cargo in the region — vm
- The weapons are placed 50% for defense against Ukrainian drones and 50% as a signal to the West — tvrain
Coverage (2 sources)
- Russian tanker equipped with machine guns — 'Dossier' — Дождь
- The Times: Russia has deployed heavy weaponry on the gas carrier 'Marshal Vasilevsky' — Вечерняя Москва