[Yang Nak-gyu's Defense Club] Russian Troops Eyeing the Korean Peninsula... The Future Is the Issue

A Russian Udaloy-class destroyer navigating in the waters near Tsushima Island (Daemado).

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] Last year, not only did the number of Russian military aircraft intrusions into the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) increase, but the activities of Russian naval vessels near the Korean Peninsula also saw the largest rise. Although Russia's military threat activities are increasing, concerns have been raised that military clashes cannot be ruled out due to the lack of communication channels between South Korea and Russia.

According to the military on the 18th, on the 12th of last month, a Russian Udaloy-class destroyer and a Dubna-class replenishment ship sailed near Tsushima Island. The distance from the Korean observation post north of Tsushima to Busan is only 49.5 km.

The Udaloy-class destroyer conducts anti-submarine warfare. It is a large destroyer measuring 163 meters in length, armed with anti-ship missiles (SS-N-14), surface-to-air missiles (SA-N-22), torpedoes, and mines, and carries two helicopters. The Dubna-class replenishment ship, Pechenga, can carry 7,000 tons of fuel, 300 tons of fresh water, and 1,500 tons of cargo. It has a crew of about 60 and a maximum speed of approximately 29 km/h. At that time, the Russian vessels were reportedly conducting their own training to detect South Korean and Japanese submarines.

The number of Russian naval appearances near the Korean Peninsula has been increasing every year. In 2018, there were only 12 vessels, but last year the number increased more than fourfold to 50. The number of Russian military aircraft intrusions into the KADIZ also increased. In 2015, there were 10 incidents, 6 in 2016, 15 in 2017, and only 10 in 2018, but last year it surged to 20.

In October last year, six Russian aircraft, including one A-50 early warning and control aircraft, three SU-27 fighters, and two TU-95 strategic bombers, crossed the KADIZ without authorization for six hours. At that time, the Ministry of National Defense strongly protested to the Russian delegation visiting South Korea to attend the Korea-Russia Joint Military Commission. The Korea-Russia Joint Military Commission is an annual meeting held to prevent accidental military clashes between the two countries and to promote military exchanges and friendly cooperation.

However, it was reported that Russia expressed the position that "entering the KADIZ does not violate international norms." Plans to establish a direct hotline between the air forces of South Korea and Russia also failed. Because of this, there has been analysis suggesting that Russia is deliberately refusing to recognize the KADIZ.

The issue is expected to continue. Given Russia's attitude, it is anticipated that similar provocations will be repeated, and there is a high possibility that Russia will attempt to exert military influence in Northeast Asia by intruding into the KADIZ. The Korea-Russia Agreement on the Prevention of Dangerous Military Activities, signed in March 2003, is effectively meaningless.

The Navy originally planned to hold the 5th Korea-Russia Naval Meeting this month, but the meeting was postponed due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.