The U.S. military is tracking a Russian spy ship in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii, officials have confirmed. In fact, the vessel has been in the waters just outside of Hawaii’s exclusive economic zone. This is while the commanders have gone and monitored the movements since at least Friday.
U.S. Military and International Law
“In fact, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command is monitoring the Russian vessel operating in international waters in the vicinity of Hawaii,” INDOPACOM spokesman Majority Rob Martins said. “As part of our normal daily operations, we closely track all vessels in the Indo-Pacific area of operations and also through maritime patrol aircraft, surface ships, and joint capabilities. Thus, we operate in accordance with international law of the sea and in the air. That is to ensure that all nations can do the same without fear or contest. It would be to order and secure a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
In May, the U.S. Pacific Fleet tracked the Vladivostok-based Russian spyship the Kareliya. It was lingering about 15 miles to the west of Kauai. Also, the island is home to the Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands. It is used by the Navy and the Missile Defense Agency to test-fire missiles.
Planned Missile Test
Therefore, Kareliya’s presence is prompted American commanders to delay the planned missile test.
Moreover, that incident would precede the arrival of dozens of warships from Russia’s Pacific Fleet in June. It could conduct what Russian officials are describing as the largest exercise its Navy has conducted. It would be in the Pacific since the end of the Cold War.
Also, the American jets do scramble many times in response to Russian bombers flying close to Hawaii’s airspace. And after the majority of the warships left at the end of the exercise. Then a spy ship did stay behind to monitor maneuvers by the American aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.
Moreover, that exercise did coincide with President Joe Biden’s first meeting with Russian President Vladamir Putin. It was since his inauguration. Also, Russian spyship did also linger near Hawaii in 2016. It would be to monitor the biennial U.S.-hosted Rim of The Pacific naval exercise.
