Russian Spy Ship Spotted Near Hawaii Raises Alarms

In a chilling reminder of the growing threats America faces under weak leadership, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the presence of a Russian military spy ship just 15 nautical miles off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii. The intelligence vessel, part of the Russian Navy’s Vishnya-class fleet, was spotted on October 29, dangerously close to U.S. territorial waters.

This is not just routine maritime traffic. The Kareliya, a Soviet-era surveillance ship built for high-level intelligence gathering, is equipped with powerful electronic monitoring systems and weapons, including SA-N-8 surface-to-air missiles and AK-630 close-in weapon systems. It’s a clear signal that adversaries are testing our resolve and they’re getting far too comfortable doing so.

The Coast Guard responded by deploying the HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Barbers Point and the Cutter William Hart to monitor and shadow the vessel. According to officials, the operation was carried out “professionally,” but the nature of the incident raises serious questions about the Biden administration’s readiness to defend our shores.

• The ship sat just 3 miles outside U.S. territorial waters, which legally extend 12 nautical miles from the coast.

• There are currently seven Vishnya-class spy ships still active in the Russian Navy, each designed for one thing: to intercept, collect, and transmit sensitive military data.

• A 2023 Pentagon report warned that adversarial naval operations near U.S. territories have increased by over 35% since 2020 a direct consequence of perceived American weakness abroad.

Capt. Matthew Chong of the Coast Guard's Oceania District claimed the operation was standard protocol, stating that the Coast Guard "routinely monitors maritime activity" to ensure national security. But the reality is, this isn’t routine and Americans know it. This ship didn’t just show up to wave hello. It came to gather intelligence. And it did so with impunity.

The Kareliya’s close proximity to Hawaii home to the U.S. Pacific Fleet and key strategic military infrastructure should set off alarms. Especially at a time when Russia is deepening ties with America’s other enemies, including China and Iran. Meanwhile, President Biden seems more concerned with protecting foreign borders than our own.

This incident should be a wake-up call. We cannot afford a leadership team that allows foreign military vessels to creep near our coastlines without consequence. Strong deterrence starts at home, and that requires a Commander-in-Chief who won’t hesitate to draw the line.

As Russia prowls our waters and China asserts itself across the Pacific, it’s painfully clear that deterrence is dead under Biden. The question is, how much closer to the edge are we willing to drift?

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