A total of 24 Russian warships have been operating in the Sea of Japan and south of the Okhotsk Sea since Feb. 1, the Department of Defense said Tuesday, in what defense chief Nobuo Kishi called the “extraordinary” military exercise “.
“This move comes along with the recent actions of Russian troops in areas near Ukraine,” Kishi told a news conference Tuesday, noting that Russian troops are believed to be stepping up their operations to highlight their ability to work east and west. in the west of the country at the same time.
Russia has more than 100,000 troops stationed near Ukraine, creating fears of an impending attack.
“It is not uncommon for Russia to conduct large military tests at this time of year,” Kishi said. “We are monitoring the activities, including those related to the situation in Ukraine, with great concern.”
The defense minister said work near the Japanese islands had been discovered by the destroyers of the Maritime Self-Defense Force and a P-3C anti-submarine aircraft and patrol aircraft. The Russian fleet of 24 ships includes destroyers, frigates and submarines, the Department said.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced Feb. 1 that ships from its Pacific Fleet have left the harbor to conduct air defense training, joint training and shooting in the Sea of Japan and the Okhotsk Sea.
Russia has repeatedly denied plans to invade Ukraine, calling the allegations “hysteria” instigated by the United States, Japan’s largest alliance. Moscow announced on Tuesday that some of its troops were returning to their bases after training near Ukraine, but it was unclear how many were withdrawn and where they would go.
Later on Tuesday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he had spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy over the phone, and the two leaders agreed to make efforts to help alleviate the growing tensions.
Speaking to reporters, Kishida also said that Japan planned to take “appropriate” measures – including possible sanctions – should Russia attack Ukraine.