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US spots Russian intelligence-gathering ship off East Coast: Officials

The SSV-175 Viktor Leonov is seen docked at a Havana port. (file photo) American officials say a Russian intelligence-gathering ship has been spotted patrolling off the East Coast of the United States, the first such operation since President Donald Trump took office, according to a report. The vessel was 70 miles off the coast of Delaware on Tuesday, heading north at 10 knots, an official told Fox News on condition of anonymity. The US territorial sea extends 12 nautical miles from the baseline, and that means the Russian ship was patrolling in international waters, the network said. The destination of the ship was not immediately known. The ship, the SSV-175 Viktor Leonov, last sailed near the US in April 2015, an official said. The Leonov, which is outfitted with high-tech electronic spying gear, is capable of intercepting signals, known as SIGINT, as well as measuring US Navy sonar capability, another official said. The ship is also armed with surface-to-air missiles. “It’

Russian Cruise Missile, Deployed Secretly, Violates Treaty, Officials Say

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia last week. Russia’s reported deployment of a new type of missile presents another challenge to its relations with the United States. POOL PHOTO BY ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO By MICHAEL R. GORDON WASHINGTON —  Russia  has secretly deployed a new cruise missile despite complaints from American officials that it violates a landmark arms control treaty that helped seal the end of the Cold War, administration officials say. The move presents a major challenge for President Trump, who has vowed to improve relations with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and to pursue future arms accords. The new Russian missile deployment also comes as the Trump administration is struggling to fill key policy positions at the State Department and the Pentagon — and to settle on a permanent replacement for  Michael T. Flynn, the  national security adviser  who resigned  late Monday. Mr. Flynn stepped down after it was revealed that he had misled the vice president