Russia carried out live-fire missile launches near the southern Kuril Islands, which Japan claims as its own. The Pacific Fleet exercises involved the cruiser «Varyag», the nuclear-powered submarine «Omsk» and the «Bastion» coastal defence system. The manoeuvres took place following Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup and against a backdrop of diplomatic protests from Tokyo and Moscow.
Briefly about the main points
- The launches took place near the southern Kuril Islands.
- «The »Varyag« and the »Omsk’ fired at simulated naval targets.
- The «Bastion» system launched a missile from Iturup.
- Japan considers Russia’s military build-up to be unacceptable.
- A peace treaty between Moscow and Tokyo has still not been concluded.
Firing at simulated targets and the composition of the exercises
The cruiser «Varyag» and the nuclear-powered submarine «Omsk» carried out live-fire exercises against simulated naval targets. The Japan Times reported that the targets were located at a distance of at least 300 kilometres.
The «Bastion» coastal defence system, deployed on Iturup, also carried out a test launch. Japan refers to this island as Etorofu.
The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that the *Varyag* had fired two *Vulcan* anti-ship missiles, the *Omsk* had carried out a salvo launch of *Granit* cruise missiles, whilst the «Bastion» launched an «Onyx» missile. According to the Russian side, target designation was provided by naval aviation, and the firing range had been closed to civilian shipping and air traffic in advance.
Moscow described these actions as a scheduled combat training exercise as part of the Pacific Fleet’s August manoeuvres. According to USNI News, citing the Russian Ministry of Defence, the larger-scale exercises involved around 13,000 military personnel, 60 ships, submarines and support vessels, as well as 30 aircraft and unmanned systems.
Putin’s visit and the dispute over the islands
Vladimir Putin On 13 August, he visited Iturup — it was his first visit to one of the disputed islands. The trip provoked a sharp reaction from Tokyo.
Japan regards Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and the Habomai Islands as its Northern Territories. Russia has controlled them since the end of the Second World War and rejects Japan’s territorial claims.
The unresolved status of the islands means that Russia and Japan have still not concluded a full-fledged peace treaty following the Second World War. In March 2022, Moscow announced that it was suspending negotiations on such a treaty.
Tokyo is protesting against Russia’s military presence
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Toshimitsu Motegi stated that any further expansion of Russia’s military presence on the four disputed islands is unacceptable to Tokyo. The Japanese side also opposed the holding of military exercises there.
Following Japan’s protest over Putin’s visit, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Japanese ambassador Akira Muto and voiced its own protest. Moscow stated that it would not accept any attempts to call into question its sovereignty over the islands; a Japanese diplomat reiterated Tokyo’s position on the Northern Territories.
