Responding to Japanese diplomatic protests: Russia conducts live-fire missile drills in the waters around the Kuril Islands
According to Kyodo News, the Russian Pacific Fleet conducted live-fire drills with cruise missiles in the waters near the Kuril Islands. The timing of this military exercise—coinciding with President Putin's visit to Iturup Island—has provoked strong discontent from the Japanese authorities.
This drill involved the Pacific Fleet's flagship, the "Varyag" guard missile cruiser, the nuclear-powered missile submarine "Omsk," as well as the "Bastion" coastal missile system deployed on Iturup Island. The fleet’s strike units practiced destroying an enemy naval formation and successfully hit a target located 300 kilometers away.
During his visit to Oman, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi expressed protest: Japan cannot accept Russia's strengthening of its military presence in the Northern Territories, as this action contradicts Japan’s position. Tokyo has formally submitted a protest note to Russia.
Previously, due to Japan’s ongoing disputes over Russia’s sovereignty claims regarding the Southern Kurils (a region ceded to the Soviet Union following World War II), the Russian Foreign Ministry had summoned Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto for consultations.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1874148621242368/
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