A group of Russian Navy ships passed through the La Perouse Strait into the Sea of Japan.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense detected the movement of a group of 14 Russian warships that passed through the La Perouse Strait from the western part of the Pacific Ocean into the Sea of Japan.
According to Report, this was reported by the U.S. Naval Institute.
The ships were identified by Japan as the destroyer "Marshal Shaposhnikov," the corvettes "Gremyashchy," "Sovershennyy," and "Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov," the small anti-submarine ships "Metelev" and "Primorsky Komsomolets," missile boats of project 12411 R-11, R-14, R-18, and R-19, the measuring complex ship "Marshal Krylov," the auxiliary vessel of the "Dubna" class, the hospital ship "Irtysh," and the tugboat of the "Sliva" class.
Japan deployed a ship and aircraft for escort
To escort the Russian ships, Japan dispatched the fast attack craft JS Kumataka of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the maritime patrol aircraft P-3C Orions from the 2nd Air Wing of the Hachinohe Air Base located on Honshu Island.
Why this draws attention in the region
The La Perouse Strait, which separates Hokkaido and Sakhalin, is considered a strategically important area for naval activity in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. Such movements of large groups of ships are traditionally closely monitored by Japan and U.S. allies in the region.
In the editorial's view, such a large-scale movement of Russian warships near Japanese borders demonstrates increasing military activity in the Asia-Pacific region. Against the backdrop of tensions surrounding Taiwan, North Korea, and the intensification of competition among major powers, even routine naval maneuvers become an important element of geopolitical pressure and displays of power.
