Will the Maltese government permit the filling up of a Russian replenishment tanker?

Take a look at this story in The Malta Independent.

Earlier today I wrote about the refuelling of Russians warships and submarines. After my initial questions to the government’s head of communications, Kurt Farrugia, I discovered that there is a replenishment tanker travelling with the convey of Russian warships and submarines that withdrew a request for refuelling in Spain after Spain gave them hassles.

So I messaged Mr Farrugia with another question: There is a merchant-marine-appearing replenishment tanker travelling with the Russian group. Will the replenishment tanker be filled in Malta?

He rang to ask me whether the replenishment tanker – which serves the purpose of a sea-going refuelling station to which other ships can hook up and refuel – is part of the warship flotilla. I said that it is, and he replied that “in that case, no, it won’t be given fuel in Malta”.

But it looks as though there are some crossed wires here, because as the information in The Malta Independent’s story clearly demonstrates, the Russian replenishment tanker, together with a frigate of the Russian navy, are due to call in at Malta on Friday and Saturday next week.