Yesterday afternoon, the Russian Navy intelligence vessel Viktor Leonov was detected transiting the Strait of Gibraltar, heading from the Atlantic Ocean into the Mediterranean Sea.
Russian Navy Project 864 Vishnya-class intelligence ship Viktor Leonov (CCB 175) is closely followed by Spanish Navy Meteoro-class offshore patrol vessel ESPS Audaz (P45) eastbound in the Strait of Gibraltar – April 14, 2025. pic.twitter.com/pwvcuyiXKi
— jr_amon_ceuta_shipspotting (@jr_amon_ceuta) April 14, 2025
The Viktor Leonov is a Vishnya-class intelligence ship (Project 864), designed for signals intelligence (SIGINT) and electronic surveillance operations. It is equipped with a wide range of antennas and communication systems for monitoring naval and military activity.
Following the departure of the Kildin last week, Russia once again has an intelligence-gathering ship operating in the Mediterranean. These types of vessels are typically employed for ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) operations, often conducted near the coasts of NATO countries or in proximity to Allied naval units.
We will continue to monitor the Viktor Leonov and any additional Russian naval movements within the Mediterranean in the coming days.
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