Russian spy ship spotted off the Georgia coast

Credit: ADALBERTO ROQUE

Credit: ADALBERTO ROQUE

A Russian spy ship was spotted off the Georgia coast on Wednesday, south of the U.S. nuclear submarine base at Kings Bay.

The Viktor Leonov, a nearly 300-foot spy ship, was seen 20 miles south of Kings Bay.

Back in February, the same ship was sailing in the Atlantic near naval bases in Virginia and Connecticut, at one point 17 miles from land.

Its voyages are the latest in an alarming string of incidents involving the Russian military, which President Donald Trump addressed back February.

“I think Putin probably assumes that he can’t make a deal with me anymore because politically it would be unpopular for a politician to make a deal -- I can’t believe I’m saying I’m a politician but I guess that’s what I am now -- because, look, it would be much easier for me to be tough on Russia but then we’re not going to make a deal," said President Trump.

Retired Adm. Bob Natter, former commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, said the recent events from Russia are concerning.

"They are reverting to Cold War tactics that we, because of close encounters, sat down and structured an agreement with them to prevent untoward accidents," Natter said.

Natter said the recent sightings of their spy ship off our coast is normal.

"They are spying. Now having said that, it's perfectly acceptable under international norms to do that as long as they don't penetrate in our territory, in our waters, while they're doing it," Natter said.

U.S. officials are expecting the ship to make one more run up and down the East Coast before heading to Jamaica next month.

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