News that the U.S. Coast Guard detected and monitored a Russian intelligence-gathering vessel just 15 nautical miles south of Oahu is a sobering reminder that America’s adversaries remain active and watchful near our own shores.

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On October 29, Coast Guard aircraft and the Cutter William Hart responded professionally to the presence of the Kareliya, a Vishnya-class spy ship designed specifically for advanced signals intelligence. Though operating outside the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea—meaning its presence was technically lawful under international norms—the vessel’s proximity underscores the ongoing geopolitical pressures facing the United States.

These ships, originally built for the Soviet Navy and still operated by the Russian Federation, are equipped with sophisticated sensors capable of collecting and transmitting sensitive data. They also carry close-in weapon systems and surface-to-air missiles for self-defense. While the Coast Guard emphasized that their response was routine and conducted in accordance with international law, the situation highlights the broader contest unfolding across the Pacific. America’s Indo-Pacific region is increasingly a center of strategic competition, and foreign militaries—Russia’s included—regularly test our vigilance, readiness, and resolve.

Captain Matthew Chong of the Coast Guard Oceania District reaffirmed the service’s mission: protecting U.S. waters, defending sovereign interests, and coordinating closely with Indo-Pacific Command and interagency partners. His statement reflects a fundamental truth: the responsibility to safeguard our nation’s borders does not belong to one branch, one administration, or one region—it is a continuous, united effort.

These moments should deepen our gratitude for the men and women safeguarding our seas—and strengthen our resolve to pray for national protection, wise leadership, and God’s sovereign hand over America’s future.

Share your prayers for peace with Russia and de-escalating tensions below.

Excerpt from FOX News. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)