Russian submarines have carried out at least two missions near the Irish Sea since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Reports Bloomberg News Agency, based on three people familiar with these internationally sensitive missions.

Russia sent its first Kilo-class submarine to the Irish Sea, between Ireland and Great Britain, about a year and a half ago. A second mission was due to be completed more recently, Bloomberg sources said.

The Kilo-class submarine is an attack submarine that can launch Russian Kalibr cruise missiles and torpedoes as well as lay sea mines, according to Bloomberg.

The Irish and British media have reported on several occasions about the passage of a Russian submarine. For example, a British helicopter and a British warship “chased” a submarine outside Cork harbour in the middle of last year. mentioned Irish media months later.

Last month, the British Air Force spotted a Russian submarine off the west coast of Scotland. mentioned BBC. The Kazan remained outside UK territorial waters and continued on to Cuba. It is not yet clear whether the submarines also sailed into the Irish Sea.

Russia’s presence in international waters off Western Europe is a sensitive issue. When Russia announced it was conducting exercises about 150 miles southwest of Ireland in early 2022, there was widespread protest. The Irish Aviation Authority announced it would divert flights. Fishermen active in the area, which is part of Ireland’s exclusive economic zone, also protested.

The Irish Foreign Minister Coveney at the time presented To know And that missile tests in international waters are officially permitted, but Russian exercises off the Irish coast are “undesirable.” It has received international praise from Western allies. The Russians are said to have announced their exercises It can be moved.Outside Ireland’s exclusive economic zone. A month later, Russia invaded Ukraine.