The U.S. Coast Guard reported that last Monday it detected a Russian Navy intelligence ship while it was navigating in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Alaska, south of the Aleutian Islands. According to the service, the naval unit was identified as a Vishnya-class ship.
The detection and encounter were carried out by the cutter Alex Haley WMEC 39, one of the U.S. Coast Guard’s primary assets based in Alaska. “…While patrolling the Aleutian Islands, the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Alex Haley detected the vessel 30 nautical miles southeast of Amukta Pass, Alaska…” the service reported.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, “…the Russian ship was transiting in international waters but within the United States’ Exclusive Economic Zone, which extends 200 nautical miles from the U.S. coast. The Alex Haley did not communicate with the Russian vessel… (it) confirmed that the ship was a Vishnya-class warship of the Russian Federation and continued to track the vessel as it transited east…” The U.S. cutter also had aerial support, with one of the HC-130s stationed at the Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak being deployed. The aircraft provided additional surveillance while the Russian Navy ship transited the EEZ.
Regarding the Russian vessel, it was identified as the “Kurily” 208 thanks to one of the images released by the U.S. Coast Guard. It is one of the seven units that make up the Vishnya-class or Project 864, ships designed for intelligence collection and built for the Soviet Navy in the 1980s.
The presence of the Russian intelligence ship in U.S. waters follows a series of activities involving Russia and China near the northern border of the U.S. and Canada. It is worth noting that a few weeks ago, Tu-95MS bombers and H-6K aircraft from the Russian Aerospace Forces and the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, respectively, conducted a long-range patrol, prompting the deployment of U.S. and Canadian fighters.
“As a proud cutter based in Alaska, we patrol to defend maritime governance and a rules-based international order,” said Commander Steven Baldovsky, commanding officer of the Alex Haley. “We face presence with presence to ensure there are no disruptions to U.S. interests in the maritime environment around Alaska.”
Cover image: US Coast Guard
You may also like: The Russian Ground Forces receive a new batch of T-80BVM tanks equipped with redesigned FPV drone cage systems
