5 Russian Navy ships confirmed in Pacific near Hokkaido part of a massive naval exercise by Russia

a reply to: CriticalStinker

I think the Russians are angling to bolster the Black Sea fleet considering the setbacks they've had and making goo-goo eyes at Turkey to not strictly enforce the treaty covering warships able to transit the strait is most likely their game plan. Except who wants a busted up hooker trying to solicit them?

originally posted by: putnam6
With apologies to MIM, haven't seen this posted

Sure it's nothing and I agree it's likely nothing but show that they can project force while engaged with still engaged with Ukraine. Besides how well Ukraine has gone I would imagine all of Russia's military is being evaluated and tested. Or a 2% chance it's naval support for China's invasion of Taiwan

www3.nhk.or.jp...

Japan's Defense Ministry says five Russian Navy vessels were spotted in the Pacific Ocean off the northern prefecture of Hokkaido on Thursday. It says the ships' activities are likely part of a massive naval exercise by Russia.

The ministry said on Friday that a Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel confirmed that the Russian ships, including a destroyer and a frigate, were about 170 kilometers southeast of the Nemuro Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido.

Earlier, Russia's Defense Ministry said a massive drill in the Pacific, involving over 40 vessels and about 20 aircraft, was scheduled for last Friday or later.

In relation to the drill, Russia has reportedly issued navigation warnings over possible missile firings and other activities in waters near the Kuril Islands, as well as waters off Japan's Sanriku region that include part of the country's exclusive economic zone.

Japan's Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo told reporters on Friday that the drill may be aimed at showing that Russia can conduct military activities in the Far East while invading Ukraine.

Kishi said his ministry will continue gathering intelligence and monitoring the Russian move with serious concern.

How many rugs involved? I mean Russian ships are a bit like their tanks - mouldering junk heaps. They would be an absolute joke except for their nuclear weapons. Those manage to keep Russia just about relevant.

originally posted by: putnam6
and then there is this...

In just a little over a week after Russia asked Turkey/Erdogan not to proceed. It looks as if Erdogan is thumbing his nose at Russia just a little bit.

www.aljazeera.com...

Russia urged Turkey not to launch an offensive in northern Syria after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan renewed threats of a military campaign targeting Kurdish “terrorists”.

“We hope that Ankara will refrain from actions that could lead to a dangerous deterioration of the already difficult situation in Syria,” Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Thursday.

Azaz, Syria – Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces have said their forces are ready for battle, and expect a new Turkish military operation in Syria to start soon.

Units of the Syrian National Army (SNA) paraded on Thursday through the streets of Azaz, a town in northern Aleppo province, in an effort to show their preparedness for the operation that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened in recent weeks against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Yeah let's not forget about Turkey "the ottoman empire" that commited horrible genocide against the christian population of Europe.