A Russian spy ship, the Kildin, caught fire off Syria’s coast on January 23, 2025. The ship experienced difficulties while drifting, prompting audio transmissions seeking help. NATO observers recorded the incident, which raised concerns over Russian intelligence operations in the Mediterranean amidst greater tensions due to the war in Ukraine. The Kildin regained control but highlights logistical challenges for Russian naval forces in the area.
On January 23, 2025, the Russian spy ship Kildin caught fire off the coast of Syria, prompting an unusual radio communication from its crew. The Kildin, equipped for intelligence-gathering, was reported drifting and unable to maneuver as smoke engulfed the vessel. Audio from the incident reveals a crew member alerting nearby ships to their distress, stating, “Warship on your course. I am drifting. I’m not under command.”
The fire lasted for approximately four hours, and though the crew prepared lifeboats, they did not deploy them. The Kildin signaled its loss of steering by flying two black balls, indicating it was out of control. NATO officials noted that despite the chaos, the ship eventually regained control and continued its operations near Tartus, Syria.
The Kildin, which conducts surveillance on NATO activities, was previously in proximity to Turkish naval exercises. Military officials from NATO monitored the Kildin closely due to fears of Russian sabotage of critical underwater infrastructure amid ongoing tensions related to the conflict in Ukraine. The U.K. had recently tracked another Russian spy vessel, the Yantar, identified as monitoring undersea infrastructure in the English Channel.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any knowledge of the Kildin’s fire, asserting that it is unprofessional to assess the naval fleet based solely on one incident. Retired Vice Admiral Michel Olhagaray highlighted the challenges faced by Russia in maintaining maritime operations in the Mediterranean, particularly as the Black Sea Fleet is incapacitated by Turkey’s restrictions on warships transiting through the Bosporus Strait.
Audio recordings captured during the incident detail exchanges between the Kildin and a Togo-flagged cargo ship, Milla Moon. The Kildin initially misidentified itself before confirming its status as a warship. After requesting the Milla Moon to steer clear, the Kildin communicated, “I am drifting. I’m not under command,” to which the Milla Moon responded, agreeing to alter its course.
Military officials provided the Associated Press with audio and visual evidence of the fire, stressing how critical monitoring Russian naval movements has become. The incident serves as a reminder of security concerns in the volatile Mediterranean region and the logistical complications for Russian naval operations far from their Arctic and Baltic bases.
The incident involving the Kildin underscores growing Western concerns over Russian naval activities in the Mediterranean amid heightened geopolitical tensions. The deployment of Russian spy ships in strategic areas like near undersea cables raises alarms about potential risks to critical infrastructure. This incident showcased the operational vulnerabilities of Russian vessels as they engage in intelligence-gathering missions while posing threats to NATO member security interests.
The fire aboard the Russian spy ship Kildin illustrates both the inherent dangers of naval operations and the geopolitical complexities in the region. Despite regaining control, the incident raises questions about the operational integrity of Russian vessels in foreign waters and the logistical challenges they face. The ongoing monitoring by NATO countries signifies the heightened vigilance and strategic significance of naval activities in the Mediterranean theater.
Original Source: apnews.com
