Russia Conducted Missile Drills Near Kuril Islands Following Putin’s Visit and Protests by Japan

Russia conducted high-profile missile exercises near the Southern Kuril Islands after Japan lodged a protest over Vladimir Putin’s visit to the occupied island of Iturup.

The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation announced the exercises.

During the exercises, the Russian Pacific Fleet deployed a strike group consisting of the missile cruiser Varyag, the nuclear submarine Omsk, and the Bastion coastal missile system.

As part of the exercises, the cruiser Varyag fired two Vulcan anti-ship missiles, and the submarine Omsk launched a Granit cruise missile.

In addition, the crew of the Bastion coastal missile system, deployed on one of the islands, fired an Onyx anti-ship missile.

Russia has been strengthening its military presence in the Kuril Islands for quite some time.

As early as November 2016, the Pacific Fleet’s newspaper Boevaya Vakhta reported on the deployment of the Bal and Bastion coastal anti-ship missile systems on the islands of Iturup and Kunashir.

And in 2021, Russia deployed the Bastion coastal anti-ship missile system on Matua Island.

In late 2017, the Russian military also completed the restoration of an airfield on the island and announced plans to establish a base there for Russian Navy ships.

The Southern Kuril Islands are under Russian control, but Japan considers them its Northern Territories. Tokyo has consistently opposed the strengthening of Russia’s military presence on these islands.

The Japanese prime minister then called the Russian president’s visit ‘absolutely unacceptable.’

The missile drills took place against the backdrop of a new escalation in relations between Moscow and Tokyo. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently visited Iturup Island, prompting protests from Japan.

The territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands has been ongoing for more than 80 years, ever since the Soviet Union established control over the four islands. Japan claims them and demands their return, while Russia considers the islands its territory. Due to this unresolved issue, Moscow and Tokyo have yet to sign a full-fledged peace treaty following the war.