Russia’s exercise in the disputed Kuril Islands
Russia is conducting military exercises on several islands claimed by Japan in the Kuril Islands, according to Japanese media.
The exercise comes just days after Moscow withdrew from peace talks with Tokyo, angered by Japan’s sanctions in response to the Russian attack on Ukraine.
On Friday, news agency Interfax also confirmed the news of the Kuril exercise, citing Russia’s eastern military district.
However, they did not say where the rehearsal was taking place, according to Reuters.
More than 3,000 Russian troops and hundreds of military equipment are taking part in the exercise, Russia said.
Russia and Japan have been at loggerheads since World War II over ownership of four islands in the Kuril Islands. Because of these islands, there was no post-World War II peace treaty between the two countries.
There was no immediate reaction from the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office or the Foreign Minister’s Office to the news of the Russian exercise in Kuril.
Western nations have imposed massive sanctions on Russia in response to Russia’s more than a month-long campaign in Ukraine; In conjunction with those countries, Japan also imposed sanctions on Russian citizens and businesses.
Outraged, Moscow withdrew from peace talks with Japan and announced the suspension of joint economic projects surrounding the Kuril Islands.
This year’s exercise is aimed at testing the ability to operate a fire control system of anti-tank and anti-tank guided missiles, including the destruction of military defense aircraft, Interfax reported.
