OREANDA-NEWS  The Japanese Self-Defense Forces monitored the passage of six Russian cargo ships escorted by Russian Navy corvettes through the Tsushima Strait, the Japanese Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

According to him, surveillance of the convoy consisting of two corvettes with tail numbers 333 and 343, the tanker Dubna, a Pacific Fleet tugboat and six cargo ships began on May 9 when approaching the strait. On May 10, these ships and vessels entered the East China Sea, the OKNSH said.

Patrol ships and aircraft of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces were involved in tracking their movements, which "conducted surveillance and intelligence gathering," the Japanese military said.