Russia conducted missile tests involving warships and a ground-based launcher near the Kuril Islands, which Japan claims as its territory.
Kyodo News reports this, citing a statement from the Russian Pacific Fleet.
The tests involved a unit with the Bastion coastal missile system, the Varyag missile cruiser, the flagship of the Pacific Fleet, and the Omsk nuclear submarine.
The Russians simulated an attack on the ships. According to the Pacific Fleet, they allegedly managed to attack all training targets at a distance of at least 300 km.
The exact time of the tests has not been specified. But the report came after the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto over Tokyoʼs protest against Putinʼs visit to the region on August 13.
"We cannot tolerate Russiaʼs steps to increase military power on the four northern islands, as they contradict our countryʼs position on these territories," said Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
Another ministry representative told the media that Japan filed a protest with Russia after Moscow notified Tokyo of the missile exercises.
What is known about the Kuril Islands?
Today, the Kuril Islands administratively belong to the Sakhalin Oblast of the Russian Federation. However, Japan disputes this and considers four islands, including Iturup, to be its territory, which the USSR seized during World War II.
On March 21, 2022, Russia withdrew from long-running negotiations and froze joint economic projects related to the Kuril Islands. The reason was Japanʼs joining Western sanctions over Russiaʼs war against Ukraine. A few days later, Russia began military exercises on the islands.
On March 31 of the same year, Japan recognized the Kuril Islands as “ancient territory of Japan under illegal occupation”. Ukraine also recognized the Kuril Islands as occupied territory of Japan.
On August 13, Putin visited Iturup Island, part of the Kuril archipelago, for the first time during his presidency. Japan then expressed a strong protest.
Until now, Russian leaders have visited the Kuril Islands five times. In 2010, Dmitry Medvedev, who was then the President of Russia, came there. In 2012, 2015 and 2019, he came to the islands as Prime Minister. And in 2021, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin visited the islands.
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