Two submarines of the Russian Pacific Fleet launched Kalibr cruise missiles in drills in the Sea of Japan Thursday, according to Russia's Tass news agency, in an apparent warning to Japan and the United States, engaged in a joint military exercise nearby.

Two diesel-electric submarines, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Volkhov, fired missiles while submerged against a naval target, the news agency reported citing the Fleet's press office.

The launch came as Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln conducted their joint exercise.

The cruise missiles accurately hit the target represented by a special ship structure meant to simulate an enemy surface combatant, according to the report.


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