U.S. Coast Guard Encounters Russian Naval Vessels Near Alaska

The U.S. Coast Guard reported a significant maritime encounter on Sunday, locating four Russian Federation Navy (RFN) vessels approximately 57 miles northwest of Point Hope, Alaska.

The incident occurred during a routine patrol in the Chukchi Sea by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton.

The Russian Surface Action Group comprised a Severodvinsk-class submarine, Dolgorukiy-class submarine, Steregushchiy-class Frigate, and Seliva-class tug.

According to Coast Guard officials, the Russian vessels were initially observed transiting southeast along the Russian side of the Maritime Boundary Line (MBL). The Stratton’s crew then witnessed the RFN vessels cross the MBL into U.S. Arctic waters, prompting closer observation. The Russian vessels were assessed to be avoiding sea ice on their side of the boundary and operated within international rules as they traveled about 30 miles into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

“We are actively patrolling our maritime border in the Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and Chukchi Sea, with our largest and most capable cutters and aircraft, to protect U.S. sovereign interests, U.S. fish stocks, and to promote international maritime norms,” said Rear Adm. Megan Dean, Commander of Coast Guard District Seventeen.

The encounter follows a series of similar incidents involving both Russian and Chinese vessels in the area over the past few months.

In August, the Coast Guard detected a Russian Federation Vishnya-class naval vessel south of the Aleutian Islands. In July, multiple Chinese military ships were observed near the Aleutian Islands, claiming to conduct “freedom of navigation operations.”

The incidents highlight the increasing presence of foreign naval forces in waters near Alaska.

Over the weekend, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked two Russian IL-38 military aircraft operating within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace. This type of Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ is reported to occur regularly and is not considered a threat.

Simultaneously, Russian and Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) forces conducted major joint drills in the Pacific under the name “Ocean 2024,” described as a “colossal display of naval strength” intended to send a message to Western nations.

The Coast Guard’s response to these incidents falls under Operation Frontier Sentinel, designed to maintain a presence when strategic competitors operate near U.S. waters. This approach aims to reinforce international rules-based order and promote operations that adhere to international law and norms.

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