Russian Intelligence Ship Monitored by U.S. Coast Guard Off Hawaiis Coast

The U.S. Coast Guard announced on Thursday that it had identified and monitored a Russian intelligence vessel off the coast of Hawaii late last month.

Coast Guard officials carried out “a safe and professional overflight” in proximity to the Russian ship Kareliya on October 29, utilizing both a patrol aircraft and a small boat, as stated in their announcement.

The Kareliya was reportedly operating approximately 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of Oahu, remaining outside U.S. territorial waters, which, according to international law, extend 12 miles from the shoreline.

“Following international law, Coast Guard personnel are overseeing the activities of the Russian vessel near U.S. territorial waters to ensure maritime safety for American vessels in the region and to support national defense initiatives,” the statement read.

This kind of monitoring is standard procedure and is conducted in collaboration with other branches of the U.S. military and government agencies, noted Captain Matthew Chong, head of response for the Coast Guard’s Oceania District.

The Kareliya is part of Russia’s fleet of six operational Vishnya-class intelligence-gathering ships and belongs to the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet. It had previously been observed near Kauai in Hawaii in 2021 and again near the U.S. island chain in 2022.

Launched in 1986, the Kareliya underwent refurbishment and received upgrades with contemporary technologies in 2017, as reported by Maritime Executive.

The Russian Defense Ministry has not yet responded to the U.S. Coast Guard’s announcement regarding the recent monitoring of the Kareliya.