A Russian spy ship off the eastern coast of the United States is operating in an “unsafe manner.”
The Viktor Leonov, a Russian surveillance ship, has been conducting operations near the coast of South Carolina and Georgia in recent days.
“This unsafe operation includes not energizing running lights while in reduced visibility conditions, not responding to hails by commercial vessels attempting to coordinate safe passage and other erratic movements,” said a notice from the Coast Guard on Sunday.
The notice said ships near the area should “maintain a sharp lookout and use extreme caution when navigating in proximity to this vessel.”
The Leonov has regularly sailed along the eastern coast of the U.S for several years, surveilling the naval base in Norfolk, Virginia, well as the submarine base at Kings Bay, Georgia. It is also suspected of spying on undersea internet cables.
“We are aware of Russia’s naval activities, including the deployment of intelligence collection ships in the region,” Navy Capt. Pamela Kunze told the Washington Times. “While we won’t discuss specific measures being taken, NORAD and US-NORTHCOM routinely conduct air and maritime operations to ensure the defense of the United States and Canada.”
