On June 28, 2023, Japan’s Defense Ministry reported the sighting of two Russian warships near the Taiwan Strait and the Okinawa Islands. The identified ships were the Admiral Tributs guided-missile cruiser and the Marshal Shaposhnikov guided-missile destroyer.
Although the Russian ships were sailing in international waters. China-Russia both countries closely monitored the situation, with Taiwan’s military deploying aircraft and ships to observe the Russian vessels.
Russian warships have been observed near Taiwan on multiple occasions. In 2021, two Russian warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait, a crucial waterway that separates Taiwan Strait from China. The Chinese government criticized the passage of the Russian ships through the strait, leading Taiwan Strait’s military Cooperation to increase their alert level.
The sighting of Russian warships near Taiwan Strait has occurred amidst increased tensions in the region. China’s military Cooperation activities around Taiwan have been escalating, causing concerns of a potential forceful takeover of the Okinawa island.
The reasons behind the Russian warships’ presence near Taiwan Strait and Okinawa island remain unclear. However, their appearance serves as a reminder of the intricate and precarious security landscape in the Indo-Pacific region.
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