Russia's Pacific Fleet conducted missile exercises near the Southern Kuril Islands, which are also claimed by Japan. Launches were executed from a nuclear submarine, a missile cruiser, and the Bastion coastal defence system. Targets were located over 300 kilometres away.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine (Едуард Ткач) citing Bloomberg, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
According to the Russian military command, all fired missiles successfully hit their designated targets. The exact location of the drills was not disclosed, though Bastion coastal defence batteries have been deployed on Iturup Island since 2016.
Tokyo reacted negatively to Moscow’s latest military manoeuvres. The Japanese government considers the Russian military presence in these territories unacceptable.
“Russia’s military buildup on the four Northern Islands contradicts Japan’s position and is unacceptable,” said Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
Island dispute and support for Ukraine
The Southern Kuril Islands have been controlled by Moscow since the Soviet Union seized them at the end of World War II. The territorial dispute continues to prevent the signing of a formal peace treaty between the two nations.
Prior to the exercises, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin made his first visit to Iturup Island, drawing an official protest from Tokyo. During his trip to the Far East, he accused Japan of shifting its stance without provocation, criticizing its alignment with Western sanctions and designation of Russia as a threat in defence documents.
Japan has consistently supported Ukraine against Russian aggression by providing non-lethal military equipment, including body armour and vehicles. Against this backdrop, previous efforts by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to negotiate the return of the islands have ground to a halt.
Illustrative photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / CC BY 4.0
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