Russia's Pacific fleet conducted a rare missile exercise involving naval vessels and a land-based launcher near the disputed Kuril Islands, which Japan regards as its Northern Territories. The drill involved firing Bastion surface-to-ship missiles from Etorofu, the largest island in the archipelago, simulating an attack on enemy vessels and hitting all targets approximately 300km away.
The exercises also included missile launches from a nuclear-powered submarine around the Southern Kuril islands. These military activities follow a recent visit to the disputed archipelago by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The exercises have added to recent friction between the two nations. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi called Moscow's military buildup on the islands unacceptable, as Japan criticized the missile tests.