[Japan Ministry of Defense: Russian Kirov-class Cruiser Group Sails South Through the Tsushima Strait]
According to the Japan Ministry of Defense's Joint Staff Office on July 2, 2026: Around 1:00 PM on July 1, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed the presence of two Russian naval vessels sailing southward approximately 70 kilometers northeast of Tsushima Island (in Nagasaki Prefecture). These vessels were identified as the "Kirov-class" missile cruiser *Varyag* (hull number "011") and an upgraded "Kilo-class" submarine.
Subsequently, it was confirmed that these vessels traveled southwest through the Tsushima Strait from Wednesday (July 1) to Thursday (July 2), heading toward the East China Sea.
Additionally, around 4:00 PM on the same day (July 1), the Maritime Self-Defense Force detected two more Russian naval vessels sailing southwest in the same area—approximately 60 kilometers northeast of Tsushima Island. These were identified as the "Igor Belousov-class" submarine rescue ship and an upgraded "Altay-class" replenishment vessel.
It was confirmed that these two vessels also passed through the Tsushima Strait from Wednesday (July 1) to Thursday (July 2), proceeding southwest toward the East China Sea.
The Japan Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces conducted surveillance and intelligence gathering operations using the patrol ship *Amakusa* (based in Sasebo), which is part of the 1st Water Training Support Unit of the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1869607329408329/
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