U.S. Coast Guard Spots Russian Naval Vessel Near Alaska’s Aleutian Islands

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, Alex Haley, detected a Russian Federation Vishnya-class naval vessel in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on August 05, 2024, approximately 30 nautical miles southeast of Amukta Pass, Alaska.

The vessel was in international waters but remained inside the 200-nautical mile zone extending from the U.S. shoreline.

The Coast Guard cutter did not communicate with the Russian ship but tracked its movement as it proceeded east.

The sighting was confirmed by both Alex Haley and an HC-130 aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak.

Commander Steven Baldovsky, commanding officer of the Alex Haley, emphasized the importance of maintaining maritime governance, stating that they met presence with presence to ensure no disruptions to U.S. interests in the Alaska region.

The encounter is part of Operation Frontier Sentinel, a Coast Guard initiative to uphold a rules-based international order and monitor strategic competitors in U.S. waters.

The operation demonstrates the United States’ adherence to international law and maritime rules.

The Alex Haley, a 283-foot Medium Endurance Cutter deployed in Kodiak, Alaska, is frequently involved in such patrols.

The recent incident follows a similar incident in July when the Coast Guard spotted four Chinese military ships in international waters within the United States exclusive economic zone, as well as an unusual joint flight of Russian and Chinese bombers off the coast of Alaska later that month.

The flights, marking the first time Chinese bombers crossed the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, were tracked and intercepted by fighter jets from the United States and Canada. However, they were not considered a direct threat.

Reference: USCG, AP News

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