In a striking display of international tension, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter recently encountered and tracked a group of Russian naval vessels as they ventured into waters near Alaska. The sighting took place on September 15, 2024, approximately 57 miles northwest of Point Hope, Alaska. The Russian flotilla consisted of two submarines, a frigate, and a tugboat, including the Severodvinsk-class and Dolgorukiy-class submarines, part of Russia's growing naval presence in the region.
While patrolling the Chukchi Sea, the crew aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton noticed the Russian ships crossing into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), moving roughly 30 miles inside U.S. waters. However, Russian authorities appeared to be operating under international maritime rules, with the incursion seemingly motivated by the need to avoid heavy sea ice. Nevertheless, the U.S. Coast Guard monitored the group closely, ensuring that U.S. interests and sovereignty were protected.
The newest submarine of the Russian Navy "Arkhangelsk," a stealth submarine armed with hypersonic nuclear weapons, has taken to sea for the first time.
It joins the "Belgorod" K-329, Russia's largest submarine, capable of carrying up to six Poseidon nuclear torpedoes pic.twitter.com/GTZI43RVKY
— Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) June 17, 2024
Rear Adm. Megan Dean, Commander of Coast Guard District 17, emphasized that the Coast Guard is continually patrolling the U.S. Arctic borders to safeguard the nation's economic and security interests. This includes the protection of critical fish stocks and the enforcement of international maritime norms. Under Operation Frontier Sentinel, the Coast Guard has increased its strategic presence in the Bering Sea and surrounding areas due to the growing activity of Russian and Chinese vessels.
The intrusion by Russian naval forces comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. While encounters with Russian ships in the Arctic are not entirely unusual, the increased frequency and proximity to U.S. shores have raised alarms among defense officials. The U.S. Coast Guard’s response reflects broader concerns about Russia’s intentions in the Arctic region, where both countries have competing strategic interests. Russian military vessels have been spotted more frequently in these waters, mirroring Russia’s efforts to expand its influence in the northern Arctic corridor.
🇷🇺RUSSIA HAS DEPLOYED NAVAL VESSELS TO VENEZUELA!
Two Russian naval ships docked Tuesday in the Venezuelan port of La Guaira after exercises in the Atlantic Ocean.
The frigate Admiral Gorshkov and the oil tanker Akademik Pashin are part of Russia’s Northern Fleet, which since… pic.twitter.com/7NpmEj2dTc
— WORLD AT WAR (@World_At_War_6) July 3, 2024
Though the Russian vessels complied with international law during this operation, the proximity to U.S. territory prompted heightened vigilance from U.S. forces. Notably, this is not the first time Russian naval assets have entered U.S. waters. Similar incidents have occurred, with the U.S. military monitoring such actions closely. Rear Adm. Dean assured that the Coast Guard remains well-prepared to address any potential threats, deploying its largest and most advanced cutters in these Arctic operations.
The Russian presence in Alaska’s waters also underscores the broader geopolitical dynamics unfolding between the two nations. Russia has significantly ramped up its military activities in the Arctic, capitalizing on melting ice caps to enhance its naval and commercial capabilities in the region. For the U.S., this raises concerns about the defense of Arctic sovereignty, particularly as the region becomes more navigable and economically valuable due to climate change.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s swift response to the Russian incursion has been praised by military experts, who point to the critical role that such patrols play in upholding maritime law and safeguarding American interests. Coast Guard officials have stressed that these routine patrols are essential for maintaining a strategic presence in an increasingly contested region. They reiterated that the U.S. will continue to monitor any activities that could threaten its Arctic security.
As tensions continue to simmer, the Arctic remains a critical zone of strategic competition between the U.S. and Russia. The presence of Russian submarines and warships near U.S. territory highlights the importance of vigilance in this remote, yet crucial, theater of global military operations.
Perhaps, after all of Putin’s sabre rattling, he should be reminded of the consequence of Mutual Destruction, a point of contention clearly in use during the last Cold War.