A Russian military intelligence ship was detected approximately 15 nautical miles south of Oahu, Hawaii, on October 29 2025, prompting the United States Coast Guard to respond with both aircraft and a cutter.
The vessel has been identified as the Kareliya, a Vishnya-class intelligence ship of the Russian Navy. It operated just outside U.S. territorial waters (which extend 12 nautical miles from the coast) and is now being closely monitored.
Coast Guard officials emphasised that their response aligns with international law, while also affirming their mandate to protect U.S. maritime borders and vessels operating in the region.
Key Takeaways:
- The distance of 15 nautical miles places the ship in international waters but very close to U.S. territory.
- The ship type — Vishnya-class intelligence-gathering vessel — has been involved in previous near-U.S. deployments.
- The incident underscores growing maritime-security concerns in the Pacific region.
- The Russian side has not yet issued a public statement regarding the tracking.
Conclusion:
While no laws appear to have been broken, the deployment of a Russian intelligence vessel so close to U.S. territory raises strategic and security implications. The U.S. Coast Guard’s monitoring underscores the importance of vigilance in the waters surrounding key American islands like Hawaii.
