Another Russian spy ship enters the Mediterranean Sea
The Viktor Leonov, a Vishnya-class intelligence-gathering vessel of Russia’s Northern Fleet, transited the Strait of Gibraltar on Tuesday and entered the Mediterranean Sea, replacing the Kildin, another Russian surveillance ship that departed the region last week.
In brief
The Russian Vishnya-class spy ship Viktor Leonov of the Northern Fleet passed through the Strait of Gibraltar on Tuesday and entered the Mediterranean Sea, where it will replace the vessel Kildin. The Spanish patrol vessel Audaz appeared alongside the Russian ship, as reported by the Itamilradar portal. For 36 hours the 100-metre Viktor Leonov was tracked in Irish waters by the vessel Samuel Beckett and by reconnaissance aircraft of the British RAF. The ship's equipment includes systems for intercepting radar signals and radio listening.
Following its passage through the strait, the Viktor Leonov was shadowed by the Spanish Navy patrol vessel Audaz, according to Itamilradar, a platform that monitors naval activity in the Mediterranean.
Over the weekend, the 100-meter-long Viktor Leonov passed through waters under Irish control, reportedly ignoring multiple communication attempts. The ship was monitored for 36 hours by the Irish Naval Service vessel Samuel Beckett, as well as by patrol aircraft from the Irish Air Corps and reconnaissance aircraft from the UK’s Royal Air Force.
Irish media, citing defense ministry sources, initially speculated that the Viktor Leonov was heading for Cuba. However, its current trajectory suggests it will carry out intelligence operations along NATO’s southern flank.
The Viktor Leonov is one of several Soviet-era surveillance ships built for signals intelligence (SIGINT) missions. It is equipped to intercept radar emissions and radio communications and is believed to possess underwater monitoring systems as well.
The vessel has a documented history of intelligence-gathering activities near British waters and, more frequently, off the U.S. East Coast—especially near naval installations in Florida. It has also been detected trailing U.S. Navy submarines in the past.
Source: PAP / Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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