Why the Coast Guard Allowed Four Russian Navy Vessels to Enter 30 Miles into U.S. Waters Near Alaska

The U.S. Coast Guard said it encountered four Russian Federation Navy vessels 57 miles northwest of Point Hope, Alaska, when they crossed the Maritime Boundary Line (MBL) to avoid ice.

The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton was on a routine patrol in the Chukchi Sea on Sept. 15 when they observed the four Russian vessels traveling southeast on the Russian side of the MBL.

When the Russian vessels crossed to the U.S. side of the MBL, the Stratton moved to observe.

The crew of the Stratton determined the Russian vessels crossed the MBL to avoid sea ice on the Russian side of the boundary.

The vessels — a Severodvinsk-class submarine, Dolgorukiy-class submarine, Steregushchiy– class Frigate, and Seliva-class tug — "operated in accordance with international rules and customs" as they transited some 30 miles into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, the Coast Guard said.

“We are actively patrolling our maritime border in the Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and Chukchi Sea, with our largest and most capable cutters and aircraft, to protect U.S. sovereign interests, U.S. fish stocks and to promote international maritime norms,” Rear Adm. Megan Dean, Commander of Coast Guard District 17, said in a statement. “Coast Guard Cutter Stratton ensured there were no disruptions to U.S. interests.”

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The Stratton, a 418-foot Legend-class national security cutter, is patrolling under Operation Frontier Sentinel, and is homeported in Alameda, California.

TMX contributed to this report.