The United States Coast Guard reported on Thursday that it detected a Russian military surveillance ship operating close to U.S. territorial waters on October 29. The Coast Guard is actively keeping an eye on the ship’s movements.
The vessel, identified as a Vishnya-class intelligence ship, was spotted around 15 nautical miles south of Oahu. This prompted the Coast Guard to dispatch the HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Barbers Point and the Coast Guard Cutter William Hart (WPC 1134) to the scene.
In response to the Russian Federation Navy Auxiliary General Intelligence ship, known as Kareliya, the Coast Guard carried out a safe and professional overflight, as well as a navigation near the ship, as stated in an official release.
The Coast Guard’s actions unfolded near Honolulu, Hawaii, on Thursday, November 13, as they managed the situation involving the Russian vessel. (United States Coast Guard)
Following international law protocols, the Coast Guard confirmed that its personnel are monitoring the Russian vessel’s activities near U.S. waters to ensure the safety of U.S. maritime operations in the region.
Additionally, Coast Guard members are overseeing the vessel as part of their commitment to supporting U.S. homeland defense initiatives.
“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,” Capt. Matthew Chong, chief of response for the Coast Guard Oceania District, wrote in a statement.
The Coast Guard said it is continuing to monitor the ship, which was first spotted in October. (USCG)
“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,” Chong added.
The Vishnya-class is a group of intelligence collection ships built for the Soviet Navy in the 1980s, according to the U.S. Army website. There are seven ships still in service with the Russian Navy.
They are large, purpose-built vessels designed for signals intelligence gathering via an extensive array of sensors, according to the site. Data can be transmitted to shore via satellite link antennas.
While the ships are designed for intelligence gathering, they are armed with two AK-630 close-in weapon systems and SA-N-8 surface-to-air missile (SAM) launchers, for last resort self-defense, according to the Army.
The Russian ship is currently off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, according to officials. (Julia Beverly/Getty Images)
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 to ensure homeland security and defense.
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.
The Coast Guard did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
