Russia flexed its military muscles against Japan, a United States ally in Northeast Asia, as one of its submarines fired long-range missiles under the waters between the two countries.
Newsweek reached out to the Japanese Defense Ministry via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The Russian military frequently operates in the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea in South Korea, which is located to the south of Russia's Far East and to the west of Japan. Last November, Russia conducted a joint patrol with China in the region with its bombers.
Japan plays a significant role in America's Indo-Pacific strategy. It forms part of a north-south blockade known as the first island chain with Taiwan and the Philippines in the Western Pacific Ocean, which seeks to constrain the military activities of Washington's adversaries.
Since the outbreak of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Japan has joined hands with the West in imposing sanctions on Russia. A leaked whistleblower's letter has also claimed that Russia was preparing to attack Japan in the summer of 2021.
What To Know
The Russian Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarine Ufa, assigned to the Pacific Fleet, fired Kalibr cruise missiles from the Sea of Japan against sea and coastal targets during a planned exercise, Russian state-run news agency Tass reported, citing the country's defense ministry.
According to a video released by the Russian military, two missiles were fired sequentially from the submarine, which was submerged. The footage also contains two shots showing the second missile hitting a target on land, which was located more than 621 miles away.
The Kalibr cruise missile has been extensively used in strikes against Ukraine. It has a range of up to 1,550 miles and can be launched from surface warships and submarines. The War Zone reported that the missile was first used in combat in 2015.
Admiral Aleksandr Moiseev, commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy, thanked the Ufa crew for the launch's "successful completion," according to Tass.
The Ufa was put into service in 2022 and reported to the Pacific Fleet in December 2024 when it reached Vladivostok in the Russian Far East, following an intercontinental transit from the Baltic Sea, where it was constructed in St. Petersburg.
Prior to its arrival in Vladivostok, the Ufa made a port call in Qingdao, in eastern China. At the time, the Russian Embassy in China said that the submarine was called a "black hole" because of its propulsion system, which makes it "almost silent."
What People Are Saying
Russian state-run news agency TASS, on Wednesday: "The submarines of [Project 636.3] are distinguished by an optimal combination of acoustic stealth and target detection range, powerful torpedo and missile weapons. The main strike complex of the submarine is high-precision Kalibr missiles."
Japan's Defense Ministry in 2024: "Russia has been conducting intensive military activities in the Far East encompassing the Northern Territories, while continuing its aggression against Ukraine."
The Northern Territories, also known as the Southern Kuril Islands in Russia, is a group of four islands ruled by Moscow captured from Japan at the end of World War II.
What Happens Next
The Russian military will continue its activities, including exercises and patrols, in the Sea of Japan. It remains to be seen when Russia and China will hold another joint operation.
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About the writer
Ryan Chan is a Newsweek reporter based in Hong Kong, where he previously had over a decade of experience at ... Read more