By Gloria Nosa
Recently uncovered intelligence documents have revealed a shocking twist in global geopolitics — Russian President Vladimir Putin had reportedly planned to launch a military operation against Japan before turning his focus to Ukraine.
The classified materials, which surfaced through a confidential leak, suggest that as early as 2021, the Kremlin was seriously considering a confrontation with Japan over long-standing territorial disputes. The documents reference detailed military assessments and strategic plans targeting the Kuril Islands region — an area contested by both nations since the end of World War II.
Analysts believe the proposed action against Japan was rooted in a desire to assert dominance in the Asia-Pacific and reassert control over territories Russia views as historically significant. However, for reasons not fully explained in the documents, the Kremlin eventually shifted its attention westward, culminating in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Security experts say the revelation underscores the unpredictability of Moscow’s foreign policy and raises new concerns about Russia’s broader ambitions beyond Europe. Japanese officials have yet to comment formally on the reports, but insiders indicate the government is treating the leak as a serious national security matter.
The disclosure not only adds another layer of complexity to international relations but also signals that Russia’s strategic ambitions may extend far beyond Ukraine — a reality that could reshape global defense planning moving forward.
