[Japan Ministry of Defense: China-Russia Naval Combined Task Force Transits Miyako Strait]
According to information released by the Japan Ministry of Defense's Joint Staff Office on July 16, 2026: Around 2 a.m. on July 16, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force detected a total of four vessels sailing southward approximately 90 kilometers southwest of Kume Island in Okinawa Prefecture. These included: the Chinese Navy's 055-type 10,000-ton guided-missile destroyer Anshan (hull number 103), the 052D-type guided-missile destroyer Kaifeng (hull number 124), the Type 903 general replenishment ship Kekexili Lake (hull number 903), and the Russian Navy's Project 20380 Gepard-class frigate Linye (hull number 343).
Subsequent confirmation revealed that the above-mentioned task force passed through the waters between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island (Miyako Strait) and sailed southward into the Pacific Ocean.
Additionally, the Russian Navy’s Project 20380 frigate No. 343 in this task force is the same vessel previously observed: it transited westward through the Tsushima Strait from May 9 to May 10; sailed southwestward between Yonaguni Island and Ishigaki Island from May 12 to May 13; and again passed between the two islands heading northeastward on June 27.
The Japan Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces dispatched the patrol vessel "Yobetsu," belonging to the Ominato Base and the 5th Escort Squadron, as well as the P-3C anti-submarine warfare patrol aircraft stationed at Naha and part of the 5th Air Group, to conduct surveillance and intelligence gathering operations against the China-Russia naval vessels.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1870869008391178/
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