US Coast Guard tracks Russian military vessel near Hawaii waters

November 17, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

The US Coast Guard has detected and closely monitored the Russian Navy intelligence ship Kareliya approximately 15 nautical miles south of Oahu.

The Kareliya, a Vishnya-class intelligence vessel known for its role in gathering naval intelligence, drew immediate attention from U.S. maritime security forces. The US Coast Guard’s HC-130 Hercules from Air Station Barbers Point and the coast guard cutter William Hart (WPC 1134) conducted a safe and professional overflight alongside a transit near the Russian ship, according to the officials.

US Coast Guard receives 34th fast response cutter

Authorities

USCGC William Hart, the Sentinel-class cutter commissioned in 2019, is the third of three fast response cutters homeported in Honolulu, Hawaii. The tracking event happened on October 29, 2025.

This monitoring operation was carried out strictly in accordance with international law, which permits foreign military vessels to operate beyond 12 nautical miles from a nation’s coastline. The coast guard’s efforts are part of a broader strategy to safeguard maritime security for U.S. vessels in the region.

“The U.S. Coast Guard routinely monitors maritime activity around the Hawaiian Islands and throughout the Pacific to ensure the safety and security of U.S. waters,” said Capt. Matthew Chong, chief of response, Coast Guard Oceania District.

“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.”

Coast Guard Oceania District works in conjunction with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and interagency partners to constantly monitor the activity of foreign military vessels operating near U.S. territorial waters, including the waters of U.S. territories Guam and American Samoa.

Under customary international law, foreign military vessels are permitted to transit and operate outside other nations’ territorial seas, which extend up to 12 nautical miles from shore.