In late January, Russia and China simultaneously deployed reconnaissance aircraft and ships near Japan’s borders. The activity was recorded by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces in several maritime and air areas, Newsweek reports.
Moscow and Beijing maintain a deep strategic partnership, often described as "no limits". Although China publicly maintains a neutral stance on the Russo-Ukrainian war, it has been supplying components for Russian ammunition and drone production, as per Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service.
By early 2025, 80% of the electronics in Russian drones were reportedly sourced from China. Beijing has dismissed these claims as baseless accusations and political manipulation.
Russian intelligence ship operates near Japan for nearly two weeks
One of the detected assets was the Russian electronic intelligence ship Kareliya, identified by its hull number. From 25 January to 26 January, it transited from the East China Sea to the Sea of Japan via the Tsushima Strait.
Kareliya first entered the East China Sea on 7 January and then operated near Japan’s remote southwestern islands from 12 January to 24 January. The Tsushima Strait, located between the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese archipelago, is a strategically important maritime chokepoint under constant monitoring by Tokyo.
Russian Il-20 conducts reconnaissance flight along Japan’s northern islands
Japan also separately recorded a reconnaissance flight by a Russian Il-20 aircraft. On 26 January, it took off from mainland Russia west of Hokkaido and flew over the Sea of Okhotsk.
After reaching the Pacific Ocean east of Hokkaido, the aircraft continued south toward waters near the northern coast of Honshu. This area is particularly sensitive from an intelligence standpoint, as the United States is modernizing Misawa Air Base there, including the deployment of 48 F-35A stealth fighters.
China also deploys an intelligence-gathering ship
At the same time, Japan detected the presence of the Chinese intelligence ship CNS Beijixing, identified by its hull number. Its appearance was another signal of coordinated activity by Moscow and Beijing near Japan’s borders.
During all these incidents, Japan’s Air and Maritime Self-Defense Forces promptly scrambled aircraft and dispatched ships to monitor, escort, and collect information.
Russia and China will likely continue expanding their military activity around Japan.
