Russian Spy Ship Spotted Just 100 Miles off the US East Coast near North Carolina

The Russian spy ship, the Viktor Leonov, was spotted 100 miles southeast of Wilmington, North Carolina. Two US military officials said the Russian ship is being tracked by the destroyer USS Cole and other naval assets. The Viktor Leonov was observed operating in the Caribbean last week, said a US defense official. It was unclear at the time where the vessel was heading, but the official said the spy ship has typically traveled up the eastern seaboard near US naval installations. Another official said that based on historical patterns the ship is likely on a four-to-six month deployment off the East Coast where it will be conducting intelligence operations.