The six warships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) were clearly emboldened by their strong logistical support, allowing them to provoke without fear. Their purpose was to test the limits of the Russian government's tolerance.
Not only that, but the two leading Kongō-class destroyers suddenly accelerated after issuing their warning! They charged straight toward the Russian Pacific Fleet conducting exercises in the distance. Their intent was obvious—to completely disrupt the Russian Navy's drills!
"Captain Pavikel! Two Kongō-class destroyers are heading toward our fleet at full speed! They are expected to enter our fleet's operational area within 10 minutes. Awaiting your orders!" the deputy captain reported anxiously.
At that moment, Captain Pavikel picked up his radio and addressed the two approaching Japanese destroyers. "This is your final warning! This is the Russian Pacific Fleet. You have trespassed into our military exercise zone! If you do not retreat immediately, the Russian Navy will take military action!"
Despite the final warning from the Russian Pacific Fleet, the two Kongō-class destroyers of the JMSDF continued their reckless charge without slowing down. They were clearly betting that the Russian Navy wouldn't dare open fire.
However, the Japanese Navy had made a grave miscalculation! They were not dealing with the South Korean Navy or the Malaysian Navy. They were facing the fearless Russian Pacific Fleet!
"I am giving the order now—All ships, target the Japanese destroyers ahead. Open fire!" Captain Pavikel made the decisive call. The entire Pacific Fleet was ordered to launch missiles at the two rapidly approaching Kongō-class destroyers. Time to teach them a lesson!
The moment the captain's order was given, the Varyag cruiser instantly locked onto its target with its eight twin-mounted long-range supersonic missiles on both sides.
Immediately, the missile launchers were raised, and in the blink of an eye, two SS-N-12 supersonic anti-ship missiles were fired straight at the two Japanese destroyers!
Following the Varyag's attack, three Sovremenny-class destroyers locked onto their targets and each fired two SS-N-22 Sunburn anti-ship missiles at the Japanese warships.
In just a few seconds, eight supersonic anti-ship missiles, traveling at Mach 1.9, roared toward the Japanese fleet!
The overwhelming force of the attack sent the two Kongō-class destroyers into a panic. Their crews scrambled to launch counter-missiles.
"Hurry! Deploy anti-missile defenses now! Quickly!"
But it was too late! At such close range, there was simply no time to intercept.
The Japanese Navy had never expected the Russians to immediately open fire—right in front of the so-called mighty Imperial Japanese fleet!
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM! BOOM!
The impact of the eight supersonic missiles triggered massive explosions on the sea near the two Kongō-class destroyers. Towering white waves, several stories high, were blasted into the air by the shockwaves. It was a truly breathtaking spectacle.
These eight missiles were the Russian Pacific Fleet's deadly warning to the two Kongō-class destroyers.
Terrified, the two destroyers immediately turned around and retreated, leading the four remaining Chikugo-class missile frigates back to their fleet. They had clearly been scared out of their wits by the Russian Navy's aggressive stance!
Seeing the Russian Pacific Fleet fire the first shot, Vice Admiral Kazuo Ikeda, commander of the JMSDF fleet, narrowed his eyes in the captain's quarters.
"Order all our warships to lock onto the Russian vessels ahead. Do not spare a single one! Lock onto their two nuclear submarines as well! Deploy all our armed helicopters—get as close as possible!" Vice Admiral Ikeda ordered coldly.
To be honest, even he hadn't expected the Russian Navy to dare to fire while facing a force three times their size. If Japan had been in the same situation, they likely wouldn't have dared to make a sound and would have surrendered immediately.
Meanwhile, journalists aboard helicopters, who were covering the event, had just witnessed this intense battle firsthand.
Although the Russian Pacific Fleet hadn't hit the Japanese destroyers directly, their determination and fearlessness were enough to earn admiration.
"My God! The Russians actually fired even though they were outnumbered three to one? What will they do now? The Japanese warships have already opened their missile launch ports. They've clearly locked onto them and could fire at any moment..." one foreign journalist said anxiously from a helicopter.
"It's not just the missile ports. The Japanese fleet's two helicopter carriers have deployed all their helicopters. This won't end peacefully. The Russian Navy could be in serious trouble," another reporter added, filled with concern.
Originally, they had intended to objectively report the facts. But after witnessing the Russian Navy's brave counterattack, their perspective shifted. They couldn't help but worry about the fate of the Russian Pacific Fleet…
With the JMSDF locking onto their targets, the Russian Navy was not about to back down. Their warships turned their cannons and opened their missile ports, locking onto the distant Japanese fleet and the approaching Kawasaki OH-1 attack helicopters.
The atmosphere on the battlefield instantly became explosive—one wrong move from either side would ignite an all-out missile duel and artillery barrage. There was no doubt about it.
News of the Russian Pacific Fleet firing first quickly reached both the Russian and Japanese governments. The tense naval standoff was reported verbatim to both the Russian President and the Japanese Prime Minister.
"Mr. President, the situation is highly unfavorable for our Pacific Fleet. The JMSDF has deployed seventy Kawasaki OH-1 attack helicopters! Furthermore, all of their missile launch ports are locked onto our ships!" the Russian Navy Admiral reported to the President.
"How soon can the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier battle group arrive? What about reinforcements from our other fleets?" the Russian President asked in a serious tone.
"At the fastest, at least 30 minutes to an hour, Mr. President!" the admiral replied with frustration. Due to the sudden nature of the crisis and the distance involved, the other three Russian fleets were still en route and couldn't arrive in time.
"I understand. I will order the Far East Military Base to fully support you," the Russian President declared. "Since Japan wants to escalate this conflict, Russia will never back down!"
(End of Chapter)