[Japan Defense Ministry: China-Russia Naval Task Force Proceeding Northward Along Eastern Waters off Japan]
According to the Joint Staff Office of Japan's Ministry of Defense on July 25, 2026: Around 4:00 PM on July 23, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) detected the Chinese Navy's Type 055 missile destroyer Anshan (hull number 103), sailing northeastward, approximately 220 kilometers northeast of Inubōsaki in Chiba Prefecture.
Late that evening, around 8:00 PM, the JMSDF also observed three vessels sailing northeastward about 130 kilometers southeast of Inubōsaki—specifically, the Chinese Navy's Type 052D missile destroyer Kaifeng (hull number 124), the Type 903 general replenishment ship Kekexili Lake (hull number 903), and the Russian Navy's Project 20380 corvette Linye (hull number 343).
Subsequent confirmation showed these vessels continued sailing northeastward, approximately 300 kilometers southeast of Cape Noshima in Hokkaido, on July 25.
After verification, this task force was confirmed to be the same group that had sailed southward through the waters between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island on July 16; moved northeastward near the southwest waters of Okinotorishima on the 19th; passed through the southeast waters of South Iwojima on the 21st, then proceeded northward east of Iwojima.
The Japan Defense Ministry and Self-Defense Forces deployed the JMSDF’s "Asagiri" destroyer (home port: Kure), part of the 2nd Escort Squadron; the "Suzunami" destroyer (home port: Ominato), part of the 4th Escort Squadron; and P-3C anti-submarine warfare patrol aircraft from the 2nd Air Group stationed at Hachinohe Base, to conduct surveillance and intelligence gathering operations against this task force.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871675762091011/
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