Russian spy ship detected just miles from Hawaii’s coast

The Coast Guard was sent to ‘monitor’ the ship

The United States Coast Guard announced on Thursday that it was forced to respond when a Russian military spy ship was detected off of Hawaii.

The Russian Federation Navy Auxiliary General Intelligence ship Kareliya was spotted approximately 15 miles south of Oahu on October 29.

A coast guard aircraft, the Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules, and Coast Guard Cutter William Hart, were dispatched to “monitor” the vessel, which was described as a Vishnya-class intelligence ship, a group of boats that were built in the dying days of the Soviet Union. The same ship was spotted in U.S. waters twice previously, in 2021 and 2022.

Officials said its personnel were “acting in accordance with international law” to provide “maritime security for U.S. vessels operating in the area and to support U.S. homeland defense efforts”.

It said that, under international law, foreign military vessels may “transit and operate outside other nations’ territorial seas, which extend up to 12 nautical miles from shore”.

The Russian military vessel, Kareliya, was spotted about 15 miles south of Oahu (U.S. Coast Guard)

“The U.S. Coast Guard routinely monitors maritime activity around the Hawaiian Islands and throughout the Pacific to ensure the safety and security of U.S. waters,” said Capt Matthew Chong, chief of response, Coast Guard Oceania District.

“Working in concert with partners and allies, our crews monitor and respond to foreign military vessel activity near our territorial waters to protect our maritime borders and defend our sovereign interests.”

The Vishnya-class ships are equipped with intelligence-gathering technology, as well as two AK-630 close-in weapon systems and surface-to-air missiles.

Hawaii is a vital cog in the U.S. military’s operations in the Pacific Ocean, playing host to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment as well as the Pacific Missile Range.

The Russian embassy in Washington has not yet responded to a request for comment.

In October, a Royal Navy destroyer and helicopter monitored a Russian warship as it sailed through UK waters in the English Channel.

HMS Duncan was operating under NATO command as it monitored the destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov, marking the first time such an operation had been undertaken.

A Navy spokesman said the deployment was a “historic first”. He added: “This represents the first time a Royal Navy warship has been tasked under the alliance’s direct command for such an operation, forming part of wider security efforts across northern Europe.”

The coordinated effort involved three nations, including a Dutch Air Force NH90 and the French Navy, the spokesman said.