Russia’s Defense Ministry claims Moscow has test-fired anti-ship missiles in the Sea of Japan. The ministry this morning two boats launched a simulated missile attack on a mock enemy warship about 100 kilometers (60 miles) away.
The target was successfully hit by two Moskit cruise missiles, Russia claims.
The Moskit, whose NATO reporting name is the SS-N-22 Sunburn, is a supersonic anti-ship cruise missile that has conventional and nuclear warhead capacity.
It said the exercise took place in the Peter the Great Gulf in the Sea of Japan but did not give more precise coordinates.
The gulf borders the Russian Pacific Fleet headquarters at Fokino and is about 700 kilometers (430 miles) from Japan’s northern Hokkaido Island.
Japan’s Defense Ministry had no immediate response. The US Navy’s 7th Fleet did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Russian nuclear-capable Tu-95 bombers flew over the Sea of Japan for several hours last week.
In September, Japan protested multinational military exercises on the Russian-held Kuril Islands – some of which are claimed by Japan — and expressed concern about Russian and Chinese warships conducting shooting drills in the Sea of Japan.
Russia also tested submarine-launched missiles in the Sea of Japan last year.
