RUSSIAN warships en route to international waters off Brisbane are suspected of being ordered to spy on G20 leaders this weekend. 
 
The Daily Telegraph has been told Australian intelligence and counterintelligence agencies are on high alert that the Russian ships will be engaged in signals ­intelligence (SIGINT) intercepts on leaders and officials from offshore.

“They will be up to it for sure. SIGINT is a major part of why they are here,” a senior intelligence source said.

A senior government source said Australian officials attending the conference had been told to be aware they will be listened in on, either on phones or via other electronic communications.

Russia will not be the only country trying to gather intelligence from the conference, with intelligence sources claiming others will be trying to use the meeting of leaders from 20 of the world’s main economies to spy.

“No doubt the Russians will be engaged in that but they won’t be the only ones,” the source said. “It’s unlikely this weekend will be incident free.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin hatched plans to “show the flag” off the Australian coast several months ago, with the Russian warfare destroyers and missile cruisers off Brisbane believed to be carrying SIGINT equipment.

The naval fleet heading ­towards the Queensland coast could have 400 more crew on board than those aboard Australia’s two ships sent to monitor the ultimate G20 “shirt-front”.

Russian missile cruiser Varyag and destroyer ­Marshal Shaposhnikov have almost 800 crew on board compared to Australia’s ­modest frigates HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Stuart, which have crews of 340.

Russia also has giant supply tanker Boris Butoma and leading tug boat Fotiy Krylov.

Prime Minister Tony ­Abbott said Russia’s muscle flexing was not a surprise.

“It’s not unusual for Russians to deploy in the vicinity of major conferences and let’s not forget that Russia has been much more militarily ­assertive in recent times — we’ve seen, regrettably, a great deal of Russian assertiveness right now in Ukraine,” he said.

“So it’s not really surprising and we’re doing what you’d expect us to do, we’re carefully monitoring these ships. Warships have freedom of the seas.”

Asked whether he would bring up the warships with Mr Putin when he arrives in Australia for the G20, Mr Abbott said their discussions to date had “focused on a crime”.

“The downing of MH17, that’s a crime,” he said, referring to the flight shot down over the Ukraine, in which 38 Australians were among the 298 passengers killed.

“Obviously the full circumstances are being investigated ... but plainly at the very least a missile was fired with reckless indifference to the outcome ... to human life.

“Under our laws that’s manslaughter at the very least. But warships in international waters, that’s just part of freedom of navigation.”

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who met with Mr Putin last month, said she was not concerned: “Russia is entitled to traverse international waters. We’ve been tracking it. The Russian navy is doing what navies do.”

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/vladimir-putins-g20-naval-subterf...

Armchair_Politician wrote on Nov 14^th, 2014 at 5:11am:



I think it was pretty clear from the get go that the Russians were up to something a bit more tactical, whether it be diverting attention from the tanks rolling into the Ukraine or signal intelligence, but hasn't it been fun over the last couple of days watchinc the leftards paint themselves into a corner? 

News Limited newspapers are that far behind the times



Armpit can you see what is wrong with these headlines from News Limited papers.

John S wrote on Nov 14^th, 2014 at 7:30am:


You think the Russians would have just used a spy satellite like the other Super Powers.....Warships are so much more inconspicuous!!!

John S wrote on Nov 14^th, 2014 at 8:16am:


Perhaps they were taking the piss out of the lefties overreaction do you think?

Nothing like the idiot media giving free publicity to the Russian navy, its advertising money can't buy.

Garfield. wrote on Nov 14^th, 2014 at 8:27am:



So say you.

But what will Morriscum do?

Redmond Neck wrote on Nov 14^th, 2014 at 8:21am:


You must be confused. Tony's the one who confronted Putin face-to-face in Beijing. Shorten said he'd avoid Putin at all costs and say absolutely nothing to him regarding the murder or 38 Australians.