Russian Military Ship Seen Near Alaska

A U.S. Coast Guard cutter, the Alex Haley, recently encountered a Russian ship while on routine patrol in the Aleutian Islands, approximately 30 miles southeast of the Amukta Pass. The incident occurred within the U.S. exclusive economic zone, although the vessel was in international waters. The Coast Guard did not engage in communication with the Russian ship but monitored its movements to ensure the protection of U.S. interests in the region, according to Cmdr. Steven Baldovsky. This encounter is part of a broader pattern of increased military activity in the area, with similar incidents reported in recent months. On July 6, the Coast Guard spotted four Chinese military ships in the same vicinity, and on July 24, U.S. and Canadian fighter jets intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying together in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). This marked a significant moment, as it was the first instance of joint Russian and Chinese aircraft entering the Alaska ADIZ, raising concerns about their expanding military cooperation. The Alaska ADIZ, while considered international airspace, is an area where the U.S. requires identification of all aircraft for national security purposes. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed apprehension regarding the implications of this military collaboration. Earlier this year, the U.S. also detected multiple Russian warplanes operating within the Alaska ADIZ, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region.