Russian submarine incursion near Japan raises security alarms
A Russian submarine has navigated the waters between the Japanese islands for the first time, the Japanese Ministry of Defence reported on Tuesday, emphasising its significance for regional security.
3 December 2024 16:04
The Japanese Ministry of Defence announced on Tuesday that a Russian submarine travelled through the waters between the islands of Yonaguni and Iriomote in Okinawa Prefecture. This marks the first occurrence of such an event and has elicited a strong reaction from the Japanese defence forces.
The Russian rescue tug Altay and a Kilo-class submarine journeyed in a north-easterly direction, 30 miles south of Yonaguni Island. According to the Japanese ministry, the Kremlin's vessels were heading towards the East China Sea.
A Russian submarine between the Japanese islands. Japan expresses concern
Philippine Navy spokesperson Roy Vincent Trinidad confirmed that the Kilo-class unit surfaced on 28th November, approximately 92 miles west of Cape Calavite in the western province of Occidental Mindoro. This lies within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
The crew did not explain why they were in this area. They only mentioned that "they are waiting for weather conditions to improve before heading to Vladivostok, Russia."
The President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., described the presence of the Russian unit in this area as "very concerning." The waters where the Russian units were observed are a disputed area, with China also asserting claims to them.
