New Zealand
Exclusive – by Special Affairs Correspondent
whatsoninvers.nz can reveal that there has been notable activity by Russian interests off the southern coast.
Our enquiries which have been backed up by eye witness accounts reveal that the activities have been going on for a period of months but largely undetected.
One of these activities is the apparent scoping by Russian shipping interests in getting large cruise liners into Fiordland.
Our sources tell us that with the borders opening up and wealthy Russians keen to explore far off lands, New Zealand and regions like Fiordland are just what wealthy Russians are keen to spend big money on.
We’ve been informed that more than one super yacht believed to be owned by a Russian Oligarch has sailed in to Milford and Doubtful Sounds over the summer just past.
Despite extensive enquiries we’ve not been able to clearly identify these super yachts with a source saying “these things fly under the radar”.
Enquiries to various agency’s and Govt departments have largely come to naught but one source with close ties to Russia say there is huge demand from loaded Russians to get and see the world and get as far as possible from the current conflict between the Ukraine and Russia.
Our source says there will be some Russians keen to seek out trade opportunities in this part of the world, particularly with food.
A source inside a prominent government department says a trade deal could be very lucrative and not to think of it in the same terms of New Zealand butter for Lada cars of some years ago.
Another activity and perhaps more clandestine activity has been an increase in marine traffic off the southern coast over recent weeks.
Sources have told whatsoninvers that some of that traffic has been investigating the viability of oil and gas exploration in the southern ocean.
As readers will recall, permits by explore the vast area have been held by big players in the oil and gas world but have since lapsed.
A spokesman for an international energy company who spoke on condition of anonymity told whatsoninvers.nz that Russian interests would be keen to get a sniff of other sources of oil and gas before the likes of the Chinese do.
We asked the spokesman if southern business’s should start looking at gearing up for increased activity with possible off shore oil and gas exploration, he commented that they should take a glass half full approach as in believe it when we see it.
Asked if ports like Bluff or Port Chalmers would make ideal base ports, our spokesman said Russia interests would more likely base themselves at Tasmania or even South America.
When we pressed a little harder for information saying our knowledge of possible Russian activity was more advanced a source bluntly replied that “you might think that, we couldn’t possibly comment” then hung up.
Enquiries to government departments involved with oil and gas exploration permits have so far drawn a blank.
A defense scholar who got wind of us doing a story on Russian interests sounded a note of caution saying where Russian commercial interests go internationally, their military is usually not far behind.
The unnamed scholar said the Russian Pacific fleet based in Fokino, formerly Vladivostok would have little trouble taking in this part of the world as part of it’s patrol beat.
The scholar added that it’s known in the highest government circles that Russian nuclear submarines have been in southern waters in recent months.
Several calls and emails to the Russian embassy in Wellington have drawn a blank but it’s understood that a statement from Moscow will be issued at 12noon today NZ time.