[Japan Defense Ministry: China-Russia Naval Vessel Formation Transits Soya Strait]
According to information from the Japan Defense Ministry's Joint Staff Office on July 29, 2026: Around 8 a.m. on July 27, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force detected four vessels sailing westward approximately 70 kilometers northeast of Cape Soya (Hokkaido), as follows:
- Chinese Navy Type 055 missile destroyer Anshan (hull number 103)
- Chinese Navy Type 052D missile destroyer Kaifeng (hull number 124)
- Chinese Navy Type 903 general replenishment ship Kekexili Lake (hull number 903)
- Russian Navy Project 20380 corvette Zhestokiy (hull number 343)
Subsequent confirmation indicated that these vessels passed through the Soya Strait and sailed westward into the Sea of Japan.
In addition, the current route of these vessels corresponds to the same formation observed between July 16 and 25:
1. On the 16th: Sailed southward through the waters between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island;
2. On the 19th: Proceeded northeastward in the southwestern waters of Okinotorishima (Tokyo Metropolis);
3. On the 21st: Traveled northeastward from the southeastern waters of Minami-Iwo Jima (Tokyo Metropolis), then proceeded northward east of Iwo Jima;
4. On the 23rd: Moved northeastward in the southeast and northwest waters near Inubōsaki (Chiba Prefecture);
5. On the 25th: Sailed northeastward from the southeastern waters near Nasu Cape (Hokkaido).
The Japan Defense Ministry and the Self-Defense Forces conducted surveillance and intelligence gathering using the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s 4th Fleet flagship Mutsu, the 5th Surveillance Squadron’s Kuma-Taka destroyer, and P-3C anti-submarine warfare patrol aircraft from the 2nd Air Group.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1872014227680267/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.