Russia tests two missiles in the Sea of Japan

Two Moskit anti-ship missiles successfully hit their target, a mock enemy warship, 60 miles away during a military exercise, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday. The exercise took place in the Peter the Great Gulf of the Sea of Japan, about 430 miles from Japan’s northern Hokkaido island. Japanese officials said they did not receive any damage reports and will continue to monitor Russia’s military operations. They will not protest against Russia over the incident, said Tasuku Matsuki, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official.

What is a Moskit missile? The Soviet-era cruise missile can fly at three times the speed of sound. Its NATO reporting name is SS-N-22 Sunburn, and it has conventional and nuclear warhead capacity. Last week, Russian strategic bombers flew over the Sea of Japan for several hours. Russia has conducted missile drills in the area in the past, Matsuki said.

Dig deeper: Read William Inboden’s column in WORLD Opinions on why America should welcome a well-armed Japan.