U.S. Coast Guard Monitors Russian Ship Near Alaska

A U.S. Coast Guard cutter, the Alex Haley, recently encountered a Russian ship approximately 30 miles southeast of the Amukta Pass, within the U.S. exclusive economic zone but in international waters. The Coast Guard did not communicate with the Russian vessel but monitored its movements to ensure U.S. interests were not disrupted, as stated by Cmdr. Steven Baldovsky. This incident follows a July patrol where four Chinese military ships were spotted nearby, and joint flights of Russian and Chinese bombers in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone raised concerns about expanding military cooperation between the two nations. The Coast Guard's monitoring reflects ongoing tensions in the region, with increased Russian and Chinese naval presence noted in recent years. The U.S. maintains authority over resources in its exclusive economic zone, which extends 200 nautical miles from the coastline. The Pentagon has voiced concerns over the growing cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic region.