Viktor Leonov SSV-175. The AGI in Curacao on 30 January. (Image via @RussianNavyBlog on Twitter). Liberty Unyielding
CNN: Russian spy ship off US coast operating in 'unsafe manner,' officials say
Washington (CNN)A Russian spy-ship has returned to international waters off the southeastern coast of the United States and is operating in what two US officials told CNN is an "unsafe manner."
The Viktor Leonov, a Russian surveillance ship, has been sailing off the coast of South Carolina and Florida in the last few days, one official told CNN, adding that the ship's actions were determined to be unsafe because it is not using running lights in low visibility weather and it is not responding to hails from commercial vessels attempting to establish its position in order to help avoid potential accidents.
The official said the Vishnya-class spy ship was also engaged in "other erratic maneuvers."
A US Coast Guard official told CNN that the Coast Guard was broadcasting a "Marine Safety Information Bulletin" to alert mariners in the area to the Russian ship's presence and its behavior.
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Update: Russian spy ship operating in 'unsafe manner' near U.S. submarine base (Washington Times)
WNU Editor: I am curious to know what these US officials meant when they say this ship engaged in "other erratic maneuvers".
