Russian spy ship's Mediterranean mission signals NATO alert
The Russian spy ship Viktor Leonov has entered the Mediterranean Sea, replacing the Kildin vessel. This move by Russia is drawing NATO's attention in the region.
what do you need to know?
- Viktor Leonov is the Russian spy ship that sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar, entering the Mediterranean Sea to replace the Kildin.
- The Spanish patrol ship Audaz escorted Viktor Leonov after it crossed the Strait of Gibraltar, reflecting increased vigilance in the region.
- The ship disregarded communication attempts in Irish waters, garnering interest from the Irish and British maritime services.
Why is Viktor Leonov in the Mediterranean Sea?
The Viktor Leonov, a Vishnya-class spy ship, traversed the Strait of Gibraltar to undertake a mission in the Mediterranean Sea. It replaced another Russian vessel, the Kildin, which left these waters last week. Once it crossed the strait, the Spanish patrol vessel Audaz escorted the Russian ship, underscoring NATO's interest in Russia's activities in the region.
What are Viktor Leonov's capabilities?
The Viktor Leonov is a Soviet-era ship built for intelligence gathering. It is equipped with advanced radar signal interception and radio listening systems, and it likely has underwater monitoring equipment. Its presence in the Mediterranean could be linked to a surveillance mission on NATO's southern flank.
What happened in Irish waters?
While navigating through waters under Ireland's control, Viktor Leonov ignored communication attempts. It was tracked for about 36 hours by the Irish vessel Samuel Beckett and watched from the air by Irish and British patrol aircraft.
