Russian missile boats sailed past the Japanese island of Hokkaido
Four Russian Project 12411M “Molniya-1” missile boats were spotted near Cape Soya on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, heading west. This was reported by the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces on social media platform X.
The Russian vessels were monitored by a P-3C patrol aircraft from the 2nd Air Wing of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
The Japanese side noted that the Russian vessels did not enter the country’s territorial waters. They passed approximately 40 km off the Japanese coast.
Near Cape Soya, patrol boats with hull numbers 916, 946, 971, and 978 were spotted.
The Japanese military also spotted these same vessels on August 9, approximately 70 km northwest of Rebun Island. They then passed through the Soya Strait heading east.
The Russian boats’ return journey took place against the backdrop of Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup Island on August 13.
According to “Military,” the Project 12411M “Molniya-1” missile boats were developed by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau. The first boat of this type entered service in 1981.
The boats are designed to engage surface targets in coastal and near-sea zones. They differ from previous models, in particular, in their armament—instead of the obsolete P-15 “Termit” missiles, they are equipped with four 3M80 “Moskit” supersonic anti-ship missiles.
Main characteristics of the boats:
- displacement—436 metric tons standard and 493 metric tons full load;
- length — 56.1 meters;
- width — 10.2 meters;
- maximum speed—up to 41 knots;
- cruising range — up to 1,600 nautical miles at a speed of 14 knots;
- endurance — up to 10 days;
- crew—about 40 people;
- armament — four 3M80 “Moskit” missiles, one 76-mm AK-176M gun, two 30-mm AK-630M guns, and one “Igla-1” anti-aircraft system.
According to “Military,” the boats spotted near Japan are part of Russia’s Pacific Fleet.
The R-298, with hull number 971, entered service in 1990; the R-19 No. 978 in 1992; the R-24 No. 946 in 1994; and the R-29 No. 916 in 2003.
This was reported by the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces on the social media platform X.
As a reminder, Putin visited Iturup Island—which was taken from Japan—for the first time.
Tokyo plans to consider countermeasures following Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s trip to one of the Kuril Islands. Japan considers the archipelago its own territory, which Russia also claims.
The United States reaffirmed its position on Japan’s sovereignty over the Northern Territories following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup Island.
