The authorities of Japan alerted this Tuesday that they have detected a submarine and a tugboat from the Russian Navy sailing for the first time near the islands of Yonaguni e Iriomotein the prefecture of Okinawalocated in the south of the country.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense indicated that the passage of a ‘Ufa’ submarine, of the Improved Kilo class – according to the classification of the I’LL TAKE to identify this type of Soviet vessel—and a tugboat about 50 kilometers from Yonaguni.
“The vessels moved between the islands heading north towards the East China Sea. The passage of a Navy submarine between these islands was recorded for the first time,” the Ministry said in a statement in which it explained that a plane Lockheed P-3 Orion of the Japanese maritime patrol and a replenishment ship were deployed in the area to analyze and collect information.
On November 25, the Russian fleet in the Pacific reported that the ‘Ufa’, equipped with ‘Kalibr’ missiles, and the tug ‘Alatau’ participated in a series of joint maneuvers with ships of malaysian war in it South China Sea.
Last Thursday, the Japanese ambassador to Russia, Akira Mutodenied the deployment of US short- and medium-range missiles in Japanese territory in the face of growing threats from Russia, which warned that it would take “measures in response in accordance with its new nuclear doctrine.”
“There are many statements about the possible deployment of US medium-range missiles in Japan. “I can clearly say that, as far as I know, Tokyo and Washington have no plans in this regard at the moment,” said the ambassador in statements to the media following the alerts triggered by the statements of the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zajarova.
In relation to a possible deployment in the future, he noted that “the decision will be made when necessary by the Japanese Government and will be directly related to the national interests” of the Asian country.
Last Wednesday, Zajarova stated that Tokyo is causing “an increase in tension” on various issues, including Taiwan. “He is trying to justify greater militarization and increased cooperation with the United States in this regard,” he said.
“We have already alerted the Japanese Government on several occasions that, if this increase materializes through the deployment of US missiles in the country, this would pose a great threat to the security of Russia, which would be forced to act and take measures in this regard,” he asserted.
(With information from Europa Press)
