WILL RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE SHIP IN THE CARIBBEAN PROVIDE OVERWATCH FOR ARRIVING IRANIAN MISSILES ?

Havana

The Victor Leonov, SSV-175, a late-model Russian-built intelligence ship, specializing in electronic surveillance, but also armed with two SAM batteries, and which is assigned to Northern Europe, has been spotted picking up provisions in Havana harbor. See the photos above and below. Unlike other very public Russian fleet arrivals, this vessel came in quietly, and without any advance notice. It has been loitering around the Caribbean for a reason.

Havana

It was also seen in Curacao; some observers believe that it is awaiting the arrival of two Iranian vessels, one of whom is reportedly carrying Shehab-3* missiles, destined for Venezuela's beleaguered Maduro regime. The Curacao picture, which can be seen below, was taken on January 30. Has this ship been jamming signals in Venezuela ?

Curacao

The last thing we need in South America is Iranian-manufactured missiles in the hands of a radical state, which pose a potential threat to Colombia, and to numerous US military installations in the area. Our thanks to the saber-rattling Russian Government for its support of Iran in America's backyard, and for assisting in the raising of Country Risk on Venezuela.
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* Medium-range ballistic missile, maximum range 800 miles; not quite enough to reach Miami, but sufficient to threaten the entire Caribbean.