Defence Forces 'aware' of Russian ships off Kerry coast

The Irish Naval Service base at Haulbowline, Co Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane

The Defence Forces have said they are “aware” that two Russian-flagged ships equipped with sub-sea cable laying technology have doubled back towards the Irish west coast late this week.

The two commercial ships, named Umka and Bakhtemir, departed from the Russian port of Murmansk on February 23 on a course for the Equatorial Guinea port of Malabo.