TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Japan Self-Defense Forces on Tuesday spotted two Russian naval vessels just south of the Ryukyu Islands and northeast of Taiwan.

Japan's Joint Staff Office said that at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed the presence of two Russian naval vessels, an Ingul-class rescue tug and a Kilo-class submarine, heading northeast in waters approximately 50 km south of Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture. Yonaguni Island is 111 km from Yilan County in northeast Taiwan. 

The vessels continued their northeast course through the waters between Yonaguni Island and Iriomote Island and headed toward the East China Sea. The office pointed out that this marked the first time a Russian navy submarine had been confirmed transiting through the waters between Yonaguni Island and Iriomote Island.

Japan's Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces conducted surveillance and information gathering using the JMSDF's replenishment ship JS Hamana and P-3C Orion anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft. 

This incident occurred the same day Reuters reported that a Russian fleet was heading north near Taiwan to conduct joint exercises with the PLA. Reuters cited three sources as saying China is planning a third round of military exercises around Taiwan in response to President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) tour of South Pacific allies.