Russian missile corvettes spotted near Hokkaido

Four Russian missile corvettes, identified by NATO as ‘Tarantul III’ class vessels, were spotted near Hokkaido, Japan, on August 14. The vessels, part of the Russian Pacific Fleet with hull numbers 916, 946, 971, and 978, were located approximately 40 kilometers from Cape Soya.

Japan’s Self-Defense Forces monitored the movement of the ships using a P-3C patrol aircraft to collect intelligence. While the vessels were operating in close proximity to Japanese territory, authorities confirmed they did not enter Japanese territorial waters. This movement follows a previous sighting on August 9 near Rebun Island.

The naval activity occurs amid heightened tensions following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the disputed island of Iturup on August 13. Japan claims the Kuril Islands as its Northern Territories, a dispute dating back to 1945. In response to the visit, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the move as unacceptable, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged an official protest with the Russian ambassador.