Spanish Navy tracks Russian ships in territorial waters amid tension

The Spanish Defence Command (EMAD) reported that the Spanish patrol boats "Atalaya" and "Vigia" tracked the Russian landing ships "Ivan Grien" and "Alexander Otrakowski", as well as the tanker "Kola", in waters "under the sovereignty of Spain in the northwestern part of the peninsula".

According to a statement published by the Spanish Ministry of Defence, the monitoring of the Russian group took place from 21 March to 26 March.

"The patrol boats 'Atalaya' and 'Vigía' monitored the passage of the Russian group consisting of the landing assault ships 'Ivan Grien' and 'Alexander Otrakowski' and the tanker 'Kola' through Spanish waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Both Spanish ships were engaged in presence, observation, and deterrence operations," stated the report.

"After identifying the Russian Federation's ships, 'Atalaya' followed these vessels until they approached the border with Portugal, where it was replaced by the Portuguese frigate 'Bartolomeu Dias'," informed the Spaniards.

"Then, on 23 March and 26 March, the Spanish patrol boat 'Vigía' tracked the three Russian ships in the waters of the Bay of Cadiz. No incidents were reported as part of the Spanish navy's maritime surveillance and security operations," the Spanish Ministry of Defence reported.