Russia continues deploying weapons in the Kuril Islands, where it has a dispute with Japan. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the Russian Army’s Pacific Fleet has deployed Bastion coastal defense missile systems to the islands, located between Japan and Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.

“Bastion, the coastal missile systems of the Pacific Fleet for the protection of maritime borders, has been deployed on Paramushir Island in the Kuril chain. Soldiers will keep watch for 24 hours to control the adjacent water areas and strait areas,” stated the ministry. It was also stated that equipment and materials were delivered to the island by the large landing ships of the Primorsky Fleet, and that a camp area was previously built in the region for the accommodation of the soldiers.

The Kuril Islands, which Russia annexed in the last days of the Second World War, are called the Northern Territories by Japan. The islands, on which both countries claim, are under the control of Russia, which considers the lands in question to be of strategic importance. Japan stipulates the return of the Kuril Islands, including Kunashiri Island, to the signing of the unsigned peace agreement between Japan and Russia at the end of World War II.