U.S. Coast Guard Tracks Russian Military Spy Ship Just 15 Miles Off Hawaii Coast

The U.S. Coast Guard has been closely monitoring a Russian military intelligence vessel operating just 15 nautical miles south of Oahu, Hawaii, since October 29, 2025. The ship, identified as the Kareliya, is a Vishnya-class intelligence vessel known for its role in signals intelligence gathering.

The Coast Guard responded to the presence of the Russian ship by dispatching a HC-130 Hercules helicopter from Air Station Barbers Point and the Cutter William Hart to conduct safe and professional overflights and transits near the vessel. These operations are part of routine maritime security measures to ensure the safety of U.S. waters and to support homeland defense efforts.

The Kareliya, built in the 1980s for Soviet naval intelligence, is equipped with sensors and satellite communication equipment for intelligence collection, alongside light defensive armament including close-in weapon systems and surface-to-air missile launchers. While the vessel remained outside U.S. territorial waters—the 12 nautical mile limit—its close proximity has raised concerns amid ongoing military tensions.

This is not the first time the Kareliya has been tracked near Hawaii; it was also spotted in the region in 2021. Similar Russian military surveillance activities have been reported near U.S. waters and overseas, including the U.K., reflecting broader efforts by Russia to gather intelligence on critical infrastructure and military movements.

U.S. officials emphasize that the Coast Guard’s monitoring of foreign military vessels in international waters is conducted in accordance with international law, balancing the rights of passage with national security. The Coast Guard continues to watch the vessel’s movements closely while maintaining a focus on maritime safety and defense readiness.