U.S. Coast Guard Tracks Russian Naval Vessels in Alaska's Exclusive Economic Zone

The U.S. Coast Guard reported tracking a group of Russian naval vessels, including two submarines, crossing into U.S. waters off Alaska to evade sea ice, a move allowed under international agreements. The encounter, observed by the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Stratton, involved four Russian vessels 30 miles.

Encounter with Russian vessels

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Stratton witnessed the Russian vessels crossing the maritime boundary and entering the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, consisting of a Severodvinsk-class submarine, a Dolgorukiy-class submarine, a Steregushchiy-class frigate, and a Seliva-class tug.

Protecting U.S. interests

Rear Adm. Megan Dean emphasized the Coast Guard's active policing of the maritime border in the Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and Chukchi Sea to safeguard U.S. sovereign interests.