Posted on 01/25/2018 10:14:44 AM PST by markomalley
A Russian spy ship, the Viktor Leonov, was spotted just 30 miles off the coast of Virginia in international waters on Wednesday, military officials said, The Virginian-Pilot reported. The Russian ship was spotted approaching the east coast last week.
“We are tracking the Viktor Leonov’s presence off the East Coast, much like we are aware of all vessels approaching the United States and Canada,” said Navy Spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Brian Wierzbicki. “We respect the rights and freedoms of all nations to operate in international waters in accordance with international law.”
The Russian ship is being tracked by the Norfolk-based destroyer USS Cole as the ship makes its away along the U.S. east coast.
A P-8A Poseidon was launched from Naval Air Station Jacksonville and tracked the ship roughly 30 miles off the coast of Virginia, according to The Daily Star.
Just days ago, the Viktor Leonov was observed leaving the capital of Trinidad and Tobago.
Last year in February, the ship was spotted 30 miles off the eastern coast of the United States near a U.S. submarine base in Connecticut.
Groton, Connecticut, is the home of Naval Submarine Base New London, which the U.S. Navy describes as the “Home of the Submarine Force.”
The SSV-175 Viktor Leonov was “loitering” in international waters just 30 miles south of Groton, Connecticut. The ship, which is capable of intercepting communications, is also armed with surface-to-air missiles.
Around the same time last year, President Donald Trump mentioned the ship during a press conference.
“Hey, the greatest thing I could do is shoot that ship that’s 30 miles offshore right out of the water,” Trump said. “Everyone in this country is going to say, ‘Oh, it’s so great.’ That’s not great. That’s not great. I would love to be able to get along with Russia.”
The ship also operated near the U.S. in 2015, but Russian spy ships have previously operated in waters near Cuba, Cape Canaveral, Norfolk and the U.S. nuclear missile submarine base at Kings Bay, Georgia.
“What is Trump up to now?” /CNN
Just like the good old days.
That’s where we keep it.
“Ivan calling Nellie, come in Nellie”
They’re just trying to stay close enough to shore to post on twitter and facebook....
Is that ship part of the Face-book and Twitter “cloud”?
Its probably waiting around out there in case Trump decides to flee the country...
/MSNBCNN
They came to collect the cash from Trump for forcing all of us to vote for him.
I was curious if this was the ship filmed going through the English Channel recently (last year) - it was not. Admiral Kuznetsov, an aircraft carrier, and Peter the Great, a Kirov class battlecruiser, were among those filmed off Ramsgate, Kent, in footage posted online.
It was sort of strange, seeing the Russian ships in the Channel & so close to Dover - made an impression with me that ‘stuck’.
Russian warships filmed off coast of Britain as Royal Navy shadows Syria-bound vessels through English Channel
Really? The Cole???
We do it to them. Should Trump buzz them or offer a reward for defections? A million $ each.
Actually, not last year, but 2016. Mentally, I’m still somewhere in 2017.
A friendly visit from a couple of aircraft out of Oceana NAS might be in order.
USS Cole? Looks like they are hurting’ for another butt kicking. BTW we should move the capitol far inland for just those security purposes. A good way to downsize.
Russian satellites not working ,they have to use this Rust Bucket ?
On a collusion course?
Yep, a few station passes and then some slow movers just circling.
Well played, sir. Very nice.
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