A chilling revelation has surfaced: a Russian military vessel operated just fifteen nautical miles south of Oahu on October 29th. Newly declassified information confirms the presence of the Kareliya, a sophisticated intelligence platform, dangerously close to Hawaiian shores.
The U.S. Coast Guard responded swiftly, deploying an HC-130 Hercules aircraft and a cutter to meticulously track the vessel’s movements. This wasn’t a casual pass-by; the Kareliya is specifically engineered for intercepting communications, mapping critical infrastructure, and gathering vital signals intelligence.
Footage and accompanying reports paint a picture of a deliberate, targeted operation. Coast Guard personnel maintained constant visual contact, conducting controlled overflights as the Russian ship maneuvered in U.S. waters.
While international law permits foreign military vessels to navigate outside the twelve-nautical-mile territorial limit, the Kareliya’s purpose extends far beyond simple transit. These Vishnya-class ships, originally designed by the Soviet Navy in the 1980s, are dedicated intelligence collectors.
This isn’t an isolated incident. The Kareliya was previously detected near Hawaii in 2021, and another Russian intelligence ship was tracked in the area in 2023. Simultaneously, Russian military aircraft routinely probe the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone.
Recent activity in the Alaskan zone has escalated, becoming increasingly aggressive. In September 2024, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) released footage of a Russian Su-35 fighter jet flying within mere feet of a U.S. aircraft – a maneuver described by a U.S. general as “unsafe” and “unprofessional.”
A disturbing pattern is emerging. Russian intelligence units are consistently probing U.S. territory, testing response times, and gathering data on vital assets like undersea cables, radar sites, and maritime traffic. This isn’t simply reconnaissance; it’s a calculated effort to map vulnerabilities.
The United Kingdom has reached similar conclusions, tracking a Russian spy ship mapping its own underwater infrastructure earlier this year. British officials publicly warned that these operations are deliberate intelligence gathering, not routine navigation.
However, the political response within the United States has been surprisingly muted. Despite repeated incursions, some continue to argue for reduced defense spending and a diminished naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
These voices dismiss the Russian activity as “not a threat,” even as intelligence vessels position themselves within striking distance of Hawaii. The newly released footage directly challenges this complacent assessment.
The United States is facing adversaries who are operating closer to American territory with increasing frequency. Ignoring this reality and prioritizing political convenience over national security is a dangerous gamble.
The declassified footage serves as a stark reminder: deterrence matters. Weakening it carries real and potentially devastating consequences, demanding a serious and unwavering national security posture.
