Russia tests submarine-launched missiles in Sea of Japan, directed at naval target
- Two vessels from the Russian Pacific Fleet successfully launched Kalibr cruise missiles at a Japanese naval target during exercises
- Tokyo says it is ‘closely watching’ Russian military activity following its invasion of Ukraine
Japan’s government said Thursday it is closely watching military activities by Russia following reports Moscow conducted tests of submarine-launched missiles in the Sea of Japan, in its latest military exercises off the Japanese coast following its invasion of Ukraine.
The missile tests came a day after the US Navy’s 7th Fleet and Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force announced joint naval exercises in the Sea of Japan.
Russia’s Itar-Tass news agency reported that two diesel-powered submarines from the Russian Pacific Fleet successfully launched Kalibr cruise missiles at a naval target during the exercises Thursday. Japanese media carried similar reports.
Tass said the target was a ship structure simulating an enemy vessel, and the exercise involved more than 15 warships from its Pacific Fleet and warplanes.
The Kalibr cruise missile is designed to fly at subsonic speeds and can hit targets as far as 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) away, Tass said.
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“Russia has escalated its military activities by deploying its latest equipment and conducting exercises and training around Japan,” Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said.