Russia Trained Officers for Potential War With Japan and South Korea, Leaked Documents Reveal

Russia’s military has developed detailed target lists for a potential war with Japan and South Korea, according to a leaked set of secret files reviewed by the Financial Times. on 31 December.

These documents, dating back to 2013-2014, outline 160 potential targets, including nuclear power plants, transportation infrastructure like bridges and tunnels, as well as industrial sites.

The target lists are part of Russian military plans that have been used to train officers for a possible war on the eastern frontier of Russia.

The leaked files, taken from 29 secret military documents, highlight Russia’s growing strategic emphasis on the east, particularly in light of ongoing military activities involving North Korea. Moscow has voiced concerns about defending its eastern territories in the event of a broader conflict with NATO, with the leaked documents revealing detailed preparations for such a scenario.

The documents reveal that Russia considers targets such as military command posts, radar installations, airbases, and naval facilities in Japan and South Korea as critical. Civilian infrastructure, including power plants and transport networks, also feature prominently.

For example, the list includes the Tokai nuclear power plant and the Kanmon tunnel, which connects the islands of Honshu and Kyushu.

William Alberque, a former NATO arms control official, commented that the documents, along with the recent deployment of North Korean troops to fight in Ukraine, show how the European and Asian theatres of war are linked.

The target lists, which appear to have been prepared for the use of Kh-101 non-nuclear cruise missiles, also contain detailed estimates on the forces required to breach defences at key sites, such as command-and-control bunkers in South Korea. The inclusion of such specifics demonstrates the careful consideration with which Russia has prepared for potential strikes.

The US has deployed substantial forces to Japan and South Korea following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Both nations have joined export control efforts aimed at restricting Russia’s military capabilities.

Earlier, reports from the German Ministry of Defense revealed a planned Russian sabotage attempt against NATO's AWACS base in Geilenkirchen, Germany. The base’s security level was temporarily raised due to intelligence suggesting potential drone strikes. The drones were spotted near the base, reportedly operating at night and displaying suspicious flight patterns.