Russian ships off coast of Ireland 'a cheap way to send a threat'

One of the Russian-flagged ships seen in Irish waters in recent days. Picture: Óglaigh na hÉireann

The presence of Russian cargo vessels off the coast of Ireland was “a cheap way to send a threat” to Ireland, the EU and Nato, according to an Irish academic at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs.

Eoin McNamara said while the vessels were commercial “all lines lead back to the Kremlin” as was the case with companies like the Wagner group and energy companies.