This is a Russian Federation ship “that actively participates in the Russian logistical resupply effort”, explains the Navy, whose Maritime Operations Center (COMAR) used the 'NRP Setúbal', 'NRP Orion' and 'NRP Dragão' to “accompany and monitor the transit of this ship through the continent's Exclusive Economic Zone”, cites Executive Digest.

“The Navy, through these monitoring and surveillance actions, guarantees the defense and security of maritime spaces under national sovereignty or jurisdiction, in the protection of Portugal's interests and, at the same time, contributes to ensuring compliance with the international commitments assumed within the framework of the Alliance”, reads the note published on the website of that branch of the Armed Forces.

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

“Three years ago, the number of surveillance operations we carried out was less than a dozen per year. Last year alone, we carried out 46, and this year we have carried out 14. These Russian Federation vessels, which may be military or merchant vessels but with known military activity, may transit through our waters in order to go from position A to position B, or they may have interests in our waters. And both things happen simultaneously,” he told Diário de Notícias and TSF.

In the interview, Admiral Gouveia e Melo states that the invasion that the Russian Federation made of Ukraine changed international behavior.

“This change could be so structural that it could destroy the foundations we have today. By destroying these foundations, 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.