Russia deploys defence missile system on Kuril island close to Japan By Reuters

(Reuters) – Russia’s defence ministry has mentioned it has deployed cell coastal defence missile techniques on a northern Kuril island – a part of a strategically positioned chain of islands that stretch between Japan and the Russian Kamchatka Peninsula.

Japan lays declare to the Russian-held southern Kuril islands that Tokyo calls the Northern Territories, a territorial row that dates again to the tip of World Battle Two when Soviet troops seized them from Japan.

The Russian Bastion missile techniques, which have missiles with a flight vary of as much as 500 km (310 miles), have been deployed on the island of Paramushir within the northern portion of the Kuril Islands, the Russian defence ministry mentioned on Monday.

“Coastal servicemen of the Pacific Fleet will preserve a round the clock watch to regulate the adjoining water space and strait zones,” it mentioned.

The ministry mentioned {that a} navy camp was arrange on Paramushir with circumstances permitting for year-round service, lodging, recreation and meals for personnel.

This deployment comes a yr after Russia arrange the Bastion techniques on the island of Matua, within the central a part of the Kuril ridge, the ministry mentioned in a press release.

The Washington-based suppose tank Heart for Strategic and Worldwide Research mentioned in a September report that overshadowed by the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow’s militarisation of the Kuril Islands “has flown largely beneath the radar.”

“Russia’s steps to spice up its presence counsel that the islands will proceed to play a pernicious position in the way forward for Russo-Japanese relations and that Japan and the USA ought to deepen consultations concerning Russia’s actions within the area,” in keeping with the report, revealed on the Centre’s web site.

Japan has joined its Western allies in slapping financial sanctions on Russia after it despatched tens of hundreds of troops into Ukraine in what Moscow calls a “particular navy operation.” Ukraine and its allies say Russia launched an unprovoked conflict.

Russia withdrew from peace treaty talks with Japan and froze joint financial initiatives associated to the disputed Kuril Islands due to Japanese sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

(Reporting in Melbourne by Lidia Kelly; Modifying by Raju Gopalakrishnan)