In the meantime, the "Reina Ysabel" has arrived undamaged in Gdynia, Poland, to unload the 200 tonnes of Spanish material for the Ukrainian armed forces.
The former civilian ro-ro transport ship, which was only recently put into service with the Spanish army but is operated by Armada, is packed full of material and ammunition, including 30 special military trucks and 10 lightly armoured all-terrain jeeps (VAMTAC). It is said to be Spain's largest delivery to date in support of Ukraine.
Non-military aid
In addition, almost fifty forensic experts will assist the Ukrainian forensic experts in excavating, documenting and identifying the bodies in the mass graves in the areas abandoned by Russian troops.
Political scandal
The Spanish navy planned the intentions and transit route of the "Ysabel" in the strictest secrecy and had already carried out the loading process in Rota inconspicuously. They were astonished when the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez proudly and openly announced at a press conference during his visit to Kiev on 21 April that it was the "Reina Ysabel" that was transporting the 200 Spanish tonnes to the Bay of Gdansk.
Additional equipment
An intervention team from the marines had already been assigned to the army transport for this crossing through the Bay of Biscay, English Channel, North Sea and Baltic Sea in order to be able to act armed should anyone get in the way of the ship. Now a ship's diver/combat swimmer team has also been quickly embarked in order to be able to search the hull in the event of irregularities during the voyage and to be able to act to secure the ship if it stops. Even though the "Ysabel" is travelling in NATO waters, the Russian President's public threat against any transport of weapons by sea to Ukraine remains in the air - even far from the Black Sea.
Head held high - but with everyone in a huff
It is to the Spanish prime minister's credit that he took this decision to support Ukraine alone, without the far-left coalition partner Podemos. This was the only way to make the delivery possible. A flight into the public eye is risky, but sometimes unavoidable! Or simply a faux pas? It's not just the Spanish navy that is angry, the political wings on the far left and far right of centre are also outraged!
All's well that ends well
As I said at the beginning, the "Reina Ysabel" reached the port of destination two days ago unmolested and its cargo is on its way to the consignee.
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