The Russian intelligence ship Viktor Leonov was monitored by Ireland’s Defence Forces for over 36 hours within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) before leaving the area earlier this week.
According to The Irish Times, the spy vessel, part of the Russian Navy’s Northern Fleet, was identified transiting through waters under Irish control, without providing any explanation for its presence.
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Monitoring was conducted by the Irish Naval Service ship LÉ Samuel Beckett and a maritime patrol aircraft from the Irish Air Corps operating from Casement Aerodrome in Dublin. Surveillance aircraft from the RAF in the United Kingdom also took part in tracking the vessel.
Although the ship acknowledged receiving radio hails, it did not respond further to communication attempts by Irish authorities or clarify its purpose in the region. Defense sources believe its intended destination is Cuba.
While the Viktor Leonov did not enter Irish territorial waters—which extend 12 nautical miles from the coast—its presence in the EEZ has raised concerns. Similar Russian naval activity in recent years has sparked scrutiny over potential surveillance of critical undersea infrastructure such as communication cables.
Designed during the Soviet era for intelligence gathering, the Viktor Leonov is equipped with technology capable of intercepting radar, radio, and other electronic signals, and is also believed to have underwater monitoring capabilities. The vessel has a documented history of operations near U.S. naval facilities and tracking American submarines.
In a statement from Athlone, Tánaiste and Irish Minister for Defence Simon Harris confirmed the vessel’s departure and said he was being kept regularly informed by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.
“Vessels of interest may, from time to time, enter Irish waters or our broader Exclusive Economic Zone,” said Harris. “This is a matter of concern, and Ireland continues to work closely with international partners in deploying effective monitoring capabilities.”
The Defence Forces declined to provide further details, citing operational security concerns.
Source: The Irish Times. Photo: The U.S. National Archives. This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
