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Why are they there and what is their purpose ?

From Danish News Article:

Four Russian vessels - a tug, a tanker and two frigates - are currently anchored in Aalbæk Bay, about 35 kilometres east of Aalbæk and 20 kilometres north of Læsø. This is confirmed by the Defence Command.

The Russian SAR vessel Nina Sokolova has been anchored in Aalbæk Bay since Sunday, flanked by two frigates. Now another Russian ship has arrived and is close to the Russian SAR ship.

It is not known why the Russian vessels are anchored in international waters.

- They are in a waiting position. That is as close as we can get, the Defence Command said on Thursday morning.

And while the Russian vessels are in a holding pattern, the Danish authorities are keeping a very close eye on them

Two ships cannot be traced
Thetis, one of the Navy's inspection ships, is staying close to the Russian vessels, and Vesselfinder shows the Danish inspection ship circling the Russian vessels, which are visible on Vesselfinder.

The two frigates closer to Læsø have switched off their AIS systems, which means that they cannot be seen on the surveillance.

A French naval vessel is also in the Kattegat close to the Russian vessels. The French vessel rounded Grenen on Thursday morning, heading for the area about 35 kilometres east of Aalbæk, where the Russian ships are together with the Danish inspection vessel.

- We always keep an eye on what is happening, but it is no more or less than normal, the Defence Command tells TV2 Nord.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

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