The U.S. Coast Guard has been tracking a Russian military intelligence ship near Hawaii since Oct. 29, keeping a steady watch as the vessel operates just outside U.S. territorial waters.
Officials confirmed a Russian military intelligence ship, identified as the Kareliya, was observed operating off Hawaii and has been under continuous surveillance since October 29. Coast Guard units maintained a presence to observe movements and to ensure safe maritime operations in the region.
The vessel was located approximately 15 nautical miles south of Oahu, placing it outside the 12 nautical mile limit that defines territorial seas under international law. That legal buffer allows foreign warships to transit and operate beyond a country’s sovereign waters, while remaining close enough to draw attention from U.S. maritime authorities.
A Coast Guard helicopter and surface vessel moved to the area as soon as the Kareliya was spotted and have been monitoring the ship’s activity since that first response. The patrols are aimed at maintaining situational awareness and making sure civilian traffic and U.S. vessels can operate without interference.
In an official statement, the Coast Guard explained the purpose of the monitoring: “Acting in accordance with international law, Coast Guard personnel are monitoring the Russian vessel’s activities near US territorial waters to provide maritime security for US vessels operating in the area and to support US homeland defense efforts.” This reflects a routine practice of watching foreign military presence close to U.S. shores.
Captain Matthew Chong, chief of response for the Coast Guard Oceania District, underscored that the activity is part of regular patrols around the Hawaiian Islands. “The US Coast Guard routinely monitors maritime activity around the Hawaiian Islands and throughout the Pacific to ensure the safety and security of US waters.” “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.”
Russian officials have not provided any comment on the sighting, leaving only the U.S. account and routine public statements to explain the posture. When foreign military vessels show up near American shores, silence from the other side is common, and official acknowledgment is not always issued.
The presence of an intelligence ship like the Kareliya near Hawaii fits a familiar pattern of maritime signaling that draws attention without crossing legal boundaries. U.S. forces respond with measured vigilance, tracking movements and making clear that American maritime defenses and alliances remain active and watchful.
Local crews and regional partners maintain standard procedures for surveillance and response, balancing legal navigation rights for foreign ships with the need to protect commercial traffic and national security. The Coast Guard’s public statement and ongoing monitoring are meant to deter risky behavior while respecting international norms of navigation.
Editor’s Note: Thanks to President Trump and his administration’s bold leadership, we are respected on the world stage, and our enemies are being put on notice.
