Russia fires missiles at mock target in Sea of Japan

New images released by Russia’s Defense Ministry shows a supersonic missile launching and successfully hitting a target in the Sea of Japan. Two of the medium-range missiles that were launched are capable of destroying a ship within 75 miles. Russia’s Defense Ministry said the missiles successfully hit a mock enemy sea target.

Japan has responded to Russia’s military drill saying Tokyo will “stay vigilant” against Moscow’s military operations.

Japan warned that Russia, though involved in a war with Ukraine, is still expanding military operations in the East.

The March 28 target practice comes one week after two Russian bomber planes flew over the Sea of Japan for more than seven hours.

An ally of Putin is warning not to underestimate Russia’s nuclear power. Russia’s Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said Moscow has the weapons necessary to destroy an enemy, including the U.S., if Russia’s existence is threatened.

“American politicians trapped by their own propaganda remain confident that, in the event of a direct conflict with Russia, the United States is capable of launching a preventive missile strike, after which Russia will no longer be able to respond. This is short-sighted stupidity, and very dangerous,” Patrushev told the state Rossiiskaya Gazeta newspaper on March 27.