Ministry of Defense Hr.Ms. De Ruyter (in the foreground) escorts a Russian frigate
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 20:38
The Dutch Navy has escorted three Russian naval vessels in the North Sea. There was no illegal passage. Nevertheless, “to emphasize vigilance”, the passage was supervised, the Ministry of Defense said.
According to the navy, it involved a Russian frigate, a submarine and an accompanying tug. The three vessels entered the so-called Dutch exclusive economic zone from the north. That area extends to a maximum of 370 kilometers from the Dutch coast.
Russian units sail through this zone more often and this is permitted under international law. But it is policy for the Navy to escort such warships. “The Russian ships are probably on their way to the Mediterranean Sea,” Defense reports. After the passage, other NATO countries took over the escort.
‘Prevent sabotage’
Also in March, a group of Russian army ships was escorted in the North Sea by the Dutch navy. Last year a Russian ship was diverted. According to the MIVD intelligence service, a possible sabotage action was thus thwarted. The ship is said to have tried to map the Dutch energy supply.
Recently reported TV program Pointer that Russian spy ships have been active off the Dutch coast. According to the research program, it is unclear what these research vessels are doing here. But there are indications that Russians are using naval drones for espionage and sabotage.
Exclusive economic zone
Territorial waters lie up to twelve nautical miles (22 kilometers) from a country. This area is officially part of the country. The exclusive economic zone extends up to a maximum of 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) beyond this. Within that area, the country has the right to fish or exploit raw materials.
2023-12-09 19:38:47
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