On Sunday, the US Coast Guard reported a notable maritime encounter involving four Russian Federation Navy (RFN) vessels located about 57 miles northwest of Point Hope, Alaska. The incident occurred during a routine patrol by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton in the Chukchi Sea.
The Russian Surface Action Group included a Severodvinsk-class submarine, a Dolgorukiy-class submarine, a Steregushchiy-class frigate, and a Seliva-class tug. The vessels were initially seen traveling southeast along the Russian side of the Maritime Boundary Line (MBL). They later crossed into US Arctic waters, prompting the Coast Guard to monitor their movements closely. The Russian ships, navigating about 30 miles into the US Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), were observed avoiding sea ice and operating within international rules.
Source: US Coast Guard Photo
Rear Adm. Megan Dean, Commander of Coast Guard District Seventeen, emphasized that the Coast Guard is actively patrolling the Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and Chukchi Sea to protect US interests and uphold international maritime norms.
This encounter follows other incidents involving foreign naval forces near Alaska. In August, the Coast Guard detected a Russian Vishnya-class naval vessel south of the Aleutian Islands, and in July, Chinese military ships were seen near the Aleutian Islands conducting “freedom of navigation operations.”
Additionally, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracked two Russian IL-38 military aircraft within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the weekend. The aircraft stayed in international airspace and did not enter US or Canadian airspace. NORAD reports that such Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ is common and not considered a threat.
Meanwhile, Russian and Chinese naval forces conducted joint exercises in the Pacific named “Ocean 2024,” showcasing significant naval strength aimed at Western nations.
The Coast Guard’s response to these incidents is part of Operation Frontier Sentinel, which aims to maintain a presence in US waters and reinforce adherence to international law and norms.
