Russian warships carrying scores of military trucks were seen passing through a strait in Japan yesterday morning – and could be on their way to Ukraine. The Tsugaru Strait between the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean separates Honshu and Hokkaido, the country’s two biggest islands.
Russia has suffered catastrophic losses, including up to one-fifth of its troops, fuelling speculation Putin could send reinforcements from further afield. Thousands of missiles and hundreds of tanks and aircraft have also been lost, according to recent estimates.
Japan’s defense ministry released pictures of the ships that appeared to have military trucks on at least one of them, according to Reuters. When a defense ministry spokesperson was asked if the equipment could be going to Ukraine, he said “it is possible.”
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has killed thousands and destroyed hundreds of buildings over the past three weeks. Russia has targeted hospitals, movie theaters, and residential buildings, although the Kremlin denies doing so. Ukrainian officials have decried alleged Russian war crimes and continue to push for a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
Armed with anti-tank weapons supplied by the United States and other countries Ukrainian fighters have taken a heavy toll on Russian armor and fuel trucks, meaning Moscow, which describes its attack as a “special operation,” may need to reinforce its forces with new equipment. NATO allies, which have already supplied 20,000 anti-tank and other weapons to Ukraine, on Wednesday said they would keep helping the country resist the Russian attack.