Akademik Golitsyn spent three days passing through Portuguese waters
With the threat of Russian ?€?spy ships?€? marking undersea cables throughout Europe, naval patrol frigate Francisco de Almeida has been accompanying the passage of yet another Russian research/ survey vessel through national waters.
According to a statement by the Navy, the Akademik Golitsyn has been accompanied since last Friday.
Today however it reached Spanish waters, and can be found ?€?under engine?€? right now off the southern coast, its destination (Port Said, Egypt) over a week away.
As the Navy?€?s statement explains: ?€??€?these monitoring and follow-up actions actively contribute to the defence of national interests and the exercise of the State?€?s authority at sea?€?, as well as being an example of ?€?Portugal?€?s commitment to NATO?€?s collective effort?€?.
There have been a number of incidents where Russian ships have been passing through Portuguese waters in recent weeks. It is not clear if there have been ?€?more than usual?€? (in the context of the war in Ukraine), but it is clear the Navy is taking its monitoring / accompaniment responsibilities very seriously.
Online maritime traffic websites show the Akademik Golitsyn began its journey in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad on June 6.
