Portuguese forces track Russian ship near vital cables
The Portuguese army is monitoring a Russian ship suspected of being on a spy mission near underwater telecommunications cables.
The Portuguese armed forces responded to the presence of a Russian ship in waters under their jurisdiction. A reconnaissance aircraft was dispatched to observe the vessel, which military specialists in Lisbon identified as a spy ship.
The mission of the Russian ship
According to a statement from the Portuguese Air Force Command, the Russian ship is an oceanographic research vessel conducting observations of critical underwater infrastructure for the Russian army, mainly focusing on underwater telecommunications cables.
"This ship is also capable of operating underwater vehicles for deep-sea exploitation," said the command of the Portuguese Air Force. Observing the ship was necessary to protect the maritime space and enhance its security.
Record number of observation missions
In 2024, the Portuguese armed forces carried out a record 73 observation missions of Russian warships in their waters. Each operation typically involved monitoring several units of the Russian naval fleet.
The Russian ship, whose name was not disclosed, left Portuguese waters on Sunday. The actions of the Portuguese army aim to ensure the security and protection of strategic maritime areas.
