“The Air Force personnel accompanied a Russian Federation training ship belonging to the ‘Smolnyy’ class, which entered service with the Russian Navy’s Baltic Fleet in 1977”, details the FAP in a statement.

According to the FAP, “this type of mission allows for the reinforcement of surveillance of strategic space, ensuring a constant and attentive presence to movements in the area of ​​national interest and contributing to the security and protection of waters under Portuguese responsibility”.

This was the 21st mission to monitor non-NATO ships in 2024, with 33 Russian and two Chinese ships being accompanied, the same note adds.

The Portuguese Navy also frequently carries out this type of mission involving Russian ships.

The Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Gouveia e Melo, revealed in an interview published on May 15 in the Diário de Notícias that in the last three years, the number of missions to accompany Russian ships during their passage through Portuguese waters has quadrupled.

In the interview, Admiral Gouveia e Melo contextualised the situation, stating that the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine has changed international behaviour.

“This change could be so structural that it could destroy the bases we have today. By destroying these bases, everything we take for granted today, which is security in Europe, NATO, the European Union, which are essential pillars for our security and prosperity, could be put at risk,” he said.