====== Astrakhan ======

Astrakhan is a major port on the Caspian Sea which plays an important role in Russian trade with Iran — it is a much shorter option than transiting the Bosphorus and Suez to the Persian Gulf.((https://archive.ph/y57k5#selection-1355.0-1355.191))

Bellingcat found a document from the Russian Caspian Sea Ports Administration with a list of ships that requested ice-breaking services in January 2024. It shows that Salmi ships have also been active between Astrakhan and Bandar-e Anzali on Iran’s northern coast.((https://archive.ph/y57k5#selection-1373.0-1377.238))

===== Grain =====

Russian firms also use Astrakhan’s port to export grain. Last October, Astrakhan’s governor announced that freight turnover for grain transshipment from the port had risen two and a half times compared to the previous year.((https://archive.ph/y57k5#selection-1387.0-1391.122))