The surprise attack on Port Arthur was a decisive military operation executed by the Imperial Japanese Navy as part of their larger strategy to dominate Northeast Asia. Located on the Liaodong Peninsula, Port Arthur had been leased by Russia from China and served as a significant naval base for the Russian Pacific Fleet. Japan, aware of the growing Russian presence and its implications for their own ambitions in Korea and Manchuria, saw the elimination of the Russian naval capabilities at Port Arthur as a critical prerequisite for their plans in the region.

In the early morning hours, Japanese torpedo boats launched a swift and stealthy attack on the Russian fleet, targeting anchored battleships. The assault inflicted severe damage on the Russian vessels, including the battleship 'Petersburg' and the cruiser 'Vladimir Monomakh'. This surprised the Russian naval commanders, who were unprepared for the scale and audacity of the assault. The attack was conducted under the direction of Vice Admiral Heihachiro Togo, who would become a key figure in the Russo-Japanese War, and showcased Japan's emerging naval power on the global stage.

This unexpected aggression initiated the Russo-Japanese War, a conflict that would last until 1905 and significantly alter the balance of power in East Asia. Following the attack, Japan launched a full-scale invasion of the Russian-held territories, leading to several key battles throughout the war. The success of Japan against a European power marked a turning point in military history and bolstered Japan's status as an emerging imperial power in the early 20th century.