Russian Pacific Fleet frigate conducts Kalibr and Uran missile launches in Sea of Japan

Defence affairs - Def-Geopolitics

On August 21, 2025, the Russian Pacific Fleet announced that its Project 1155 frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov had successfully launched Kalibr-NK and Uran precision missiles during exercises in the Sea of Japan, as reported by Russian News Agency TASS. 

The drill, which also involved naval aviation aircraft and drones, underlines Moscow’s intent to demonstrate maritime strike capabilities in a region where U.S., Japanese, and South Korean forces regularly conduct joint maneuvers. This development is particularly significant as regional debates intensify over Japan’s long-standing nuclear principles and as tensions on the Korean Peninsula continue to escalate.

The Marshal Shaposhnikov, originally commissioned in 1985 as an anti-submarine destroyer, underwent a major modernization beginning in 2016 that transformed the vessel into a frigate equipped with modern strike systems. By incorporating Kalibr-NK cruise missiles, capable of engaging land and naval targets at long ranges, and Uran anti-ship missiles, the warship transitioned from a Cold War-era design into a versatile multi-role platform. Its return to active duty in 2021 marked a significant enhancement for the Pacific Fleet, offering a mix of long-range precision strike and coastal defense functions.

Compared to other regional assets, the Kalibr system has been combat-tested extensively in Ukraine and Syria, where it demonstrated both land-attack and anti-ship performance. In contrast, U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers rely on the Tomahawk and Harpoon families of missiles, while Japan is rapidly expanding its Type 12 standoff missile inventory. Russia’s combination of Kalibr and Uran provides layered strike options: the former for long-range engagements up to 1,500 kilometers, the latter for short-to-medium range maritime targets. By integrating both systems into a single platform, Moscow strengthens its ability to operate flexibly against diverse threats in contested waters.

The timing of these drills carries clear strategic weight. Last week, Army Recognition reported on the flyover of Russian Tu-95MS bombers with fighter escorts across the Sea of Japan. That aerial maneuver, coupled with the current naval exercise, signals a deliberate escalation in military signaling. While framed as routine training, these displays send an unmistakable message to Japan, South Korea, and their U.S. ally: Russia remains determined to maintain a deterrent posture in East Asia, even as its forces are deeply engaged in Ukraine.