The naval battle at Chemulpo, also known as the battle of Incheon, took place at the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War on January 27 (February 9) 1904. It unfolded off the coast of the city of Chemulpo in Korea between Russian ships, the cruiser "Varyag" and the gunboat "Koreets," commanded by Captain 1st Rank Vsevolod Rudnev, and a Japanese squadron led by Rear Admiral Uriu Sotokichi.

The Japanese squadron, consisting of two battleships and four armored cruisers, as well as eight destroyers, successfully landed troops and blocked the Russian ships in the port. This forced the Russian vessels to venture out into the open sea and engage in battle under unfavorable conditions. During the fight, the "Varyag" sustained significant damage and, along with the "Koreets," returned to port. Subsequently, the Russian sailors destroyed their ships and transferred to neutral vessels.