The US spotted Russian and Chinese ships off the coast of Alaska
2.10.2024 - 11:57
The US Coast Guard discovered four border ships of Russia and China that were jointly patrolling off the coast of Alaska.
On September 28, the US spotted four vessels of the Russian Border Guard and the Chinese Coast Guard, according to the US Coast Guard website.
An HC-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Coast Guard Air Force Base Kodiak spotted two Russian Border Patrol vessels and two Chinese Coast Guard vessels about 440 miles southwest of St. Lawrence Island.
The ships carried out joint patrols in the Bering Sea.
During a routine patrol of the maritime border between the United States and Russia in the Bering Sea, the crew of an HC-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Coast Guard Air Force Base Kodiak observed two Russian Border Patrol vessels and two Chinese Coast Guard vessels approximately 440 miles southwest of St. Lawrence Island.
The ships were transiting in a northeasterly direction, staying about five miles inside Russia’s exclusive economic zone. It was the northernmost location where the US Coast Guard observed Chinese Coast Guard vessels.
“This recent activity demonstrates the increased interest in the Arctic from our strategic competitors,” said Rear Admiral Megan Dean, commander of Coast Guard District 17. “Demand for Coast Guard services in the region continues to grow, requiring continued investment in our capabilities to meet the presence of our strategic competitors and fulfill our statutory missions in an expanding area of operations.”
USM previously reported that Chinese ships had joined Russian exercises in the Pacific Ocean.
China’s Ministry of Defense notes that the purpose of the exercises is to strengthen strategic coordination between the Chinese and Russian militaries, as well as to increase their ability to jointly “respond to threats.”
