The cargo ship "Rona", under the Iranian flag, sank in the Caspian Sea during a return voyage from Russia, according to authorities in Turkmenistan.

The cargo ship, with a displacement of 2,453 tons, was suspected of transporting weapons on a route known for such activities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan confirmed that rescue teams recovered all 14 crew members, citizens of Iran and India, after the ship sent an SOS. "Rona" frequently visited Russian ports, including Astrakhan, Makhachkala, and Azov, between October 2024 and December 2025, with Astrakhan as its final destination. In the past, Ukrainian forces have conducted operations in the Caspian Sea, targeting Russian ships transporting weapons, including a strike on the port of Olia, a logistics center for military imports from Iran. Recent reports have highlighted maritime routes used for arms transport, with ships turning off their transponders in certain areas, suggesting suspicious activities. It has also been confirmed that Russian ships are transporting Iranian munitions to support troops in Ukraine.