A recently surfaced video footage has captured a tense moment between U.S. Navy and Russian military forces in the Pacific Ocean.
The clip shows a Russian Navy Il-38N reconnaissance aircraft, NATO-designated as “May,” flying at a low altitude near the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).
Accompanying the Il-38N are U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets and F-35C Lightning IIs, which are stationed on the aircraft carrier.
The video was initially shared on Instagram by a user. Although it remains unclear if this individual recorded the footage, the post quickly gained traction, spreading across social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky.
Russian spy plane
The Il-38N is an upgraded variant of the Ilyushin Il-38 maritime patrol aircraft, which first entered service with the Soviet Navy in 1967.
It serves a role similar to the American Lockheed P-3 Orion, though significantly fewer Il-38Ns have been produced.
A unique characteristic of the Il-38N is an unusual apparatus mounted above its cockpit; this is part of the Novella P-38 surveillance system, which enhances its reconnaissance capabilities.
The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has been active in the Pacific region near Japan for several weeks.
This area is known as a hotspot for Russian intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance activities, where Japanese fighter jets frequently intercept Russian aircraft.
As the Vinson CSG prepares to transition towards the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, it has made stops around the region, including a recent visit to Busan, South Korea, in early March.
Currently, it is docked in Guam, while the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), which set off for its last deployment on March 21, 2025, is expected to take the Vinson’s place in Asia.
In the Instagram comments, the person who posted the video mentioned that Russian aircraft had regularly ” buzzed ” the carrier throughout the week.
US Navy nuclear carrier
This activity is not uncommon; carrier groups often act as prime targets for intelligence missions, warranting ongoing monitoring of foreign aircraft.
While vessels navigate through international waters, preventing foreign aircraft from making close approaches is challenging.
The U.S. does not possess legal authority to restrict airspace in these regions, allowing them only to issue warnings to aircraft for safety reasons.
In high-stakes scenarios, if an aircraft is deemed a hostile threat, it can be engaged well before reaching the carrier, either by alert fighter jets or by anti-air missiles launched from escorting ships.
Typically, escort fighters are dispatched to observe foreign aerial activity closely.
This not only contributes to intelligence-gathering efforts but also serves to indicate that the naval ships are under protection.
Such interactions underline the ongoing tensions and military posturing between the U.S. and Russia, particularly in strategically significant areas like the Pacific.
The incident serves as a reminder of the complex geopolitical dynamics that continue to play out on the world stage.
With the ongoing developments in military operations, both nations will likely maintain their vigilance in these waters, and increasing encounters could become commonplace as tensions simmer.
Whether these interactions escalate or remain routine reconnaissance is an aspect that military analysts and governments will continue to monitor closely.
