The Royal Netherlands Navy escorted six Russian ships in the North Sea this weekend. They are three naval vessels and three civilian ships. They are part of a task force, heading from the Mediterranean Sea to a Russian port.
It concerns the landing ships Alexandr Otrakovsky (Ropucha-class) and Ivan Gren (Ivan Gren-class), the supply ship Yelnya (Altay-class), the oil tanker General Skobelev and the transport ships Sparta and Sparta II.
The six ships passed through the so-called Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone. After the passage, other NATO partners took over the escort. The Royal Netherlands Navy deployed HNLMS Johan de Witt in escorting. The maritime board helicopter NH90 was also used.
Also read: Three Dutch naval vessels in NATO mission Baltic Sentry
Right of passage
Russian units frequently sail through the Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone. An internationally agreed right of transit applies here. Nevertheless, the Netherlands accompanies this type of fleet. This is not only to be vigilant, but also to be able to intervene in case of suspicious actions or disruptions. This is also part of the Ministry of Defence’s efforts to protect critical underwater infrastructure.
Picture: The Royal Netherlands Navy vessel HNLMS Johan de Witt guided Russian ships through the Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone this weekend (photo Ministry of Defence).
