Russia Deploys Missiles To The Kuril Islands. Tells Japan To Not Be Worried

RT: Russia deploys newest anti-ship missiles to Kuril Islands

The Russian Pacific Fleet has installed batteries of anti-ship missiles at its bases on the Kuril Islands, ensuring effective protection from landing operations and carrier-based aircraft strikes.

The Boyevaya Vakhta (Combat Watch) newspaper of the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet reports that the Kurils Navy Base has received the Bal and Bastion missile complexes (NATO code names Sennight and Stooge) and is preparing to conduct training launches in the nearest future.

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Update #1: Putin ratchets up tension sending missiles to Pacific islands (The Australian/The Times)
Update #2: Russia deployed coastal missile systems to islands claimed by Japan (RFE)
Update #3: Russia deploys missiles in Kurils ahead of peace talks (Straits Times)

WNU Editor: The Kremlin is telling Japan to not be concerned about this deployment .... Kuril islands missiles should not spoil Putin's visit, Russia tells Japan (The Guardian). The Japanese are not convinced .... Japan vows to respond to Russian missile deployment to disputed islands (The Telegraph).

Russia Begins Military Exercises On The Disputed Kuril Islands

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Russia Announces Military Exercises In Kuril Islands Claimed By Japan -- Moscow Times/Reuters

Russia began military exercises in the Kuril Islands in the Pacific Ocean, a Defense Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday, a move likely to anger Japan, which also lays claim to them.

"Exercises began involving military units in the region, which have been deployed to the Kuril Islands," Colonel Alexander Gordeyev, a spokesman for Russia's Eastern Military District, told news agency Interfax.

He said more than 1,000 troops, five Mi-8AMTSh attack helicopters and 100 other pieces of military hardware would be involved in the manoeuvres.

The dispute has strained relations Japan and Russia since World War II, when Soviet forces occupied the four islands at the southern end of the Kuril chain. Japan says the islands are part of its territory and wants Moscow to hand them over.

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Update: Russia begins military exercises in islands also claimed by Japan -- World Bulletin

My Comment: Japan has supported Western moves and sanctions on Russia because of Ukraine .... this is Russia's response to Japan.

Russia Reinforces Its Troops Deployed In The Kuril Islands

Russia To Complete Kuril Troops’ Reinforcement By 2014 -- RT

A top Russian military commander has said the country is reinforcing its troops deployed in the Kuril Islands – the Russian territory in the Far East that is claimed by Japan.

The reinforcement goes in accordance with the schedule earlier approved by the Russian President, Chief of the General Staff General Nikolay Makarov told the press. Two modern garrisons are being built on the islands, the general added.

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My Comment: This will not please Japan, as well as reinforcing the awareness that many islands in Asia are involved in territorial disputes.

Russia Reinforces The Kuril Islands Over The Objections Of Japan

Russia's Medvedev Speaks Tough On Disputed Islands -- Washington Post/AP

MOSCOW -- Russia will send more weapons to its islands in north Pacific, President Dmitry Medvedev announced Wednesday - a mere two days after Japan again demanded that Russia return several islands it has held since the end of World War II.

The disagreement over the southern Kuril islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories, has long been a sticking point between the two countries. It also has kept them from signing a formal peace treaty ending their World War II hostilities.

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More News On Russian Determination To Keep The Kuril Islands

Russia moves to defend Kuril Islands claim (Update 1) -- RIA Novosti
Russia vows to protect disputed Kurile islands -- Reuters
Russia to deploy more arms on Kurils, claimed by Japan -- BBC
Russia boosts military presence on Kuril islands -- AFP
Russia's Medvedev Vows to Protect Disputed Islands -- Voice of America
Russia’s sovereignty over Kurils: not subject to review -- Voice of Russia

Japan Demands That The Kuril Islands Be Returned From Russia

Japan-Russia Row Escalates Over Disputed Kurils Islands -- BBC

Japan and Russia have exchanged heated comments over the disputed southern Kuril islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Japan's PM Naoto Kan called a visit by Russia's president to the islands last year an "unforgivable outrage".

Mr Kan was speaking during a rally in Tokyo held to demand the return of the islands, which were occupied by Soviet troops at the end of World War II.

Russian FM Sergei Lavrov responded by saying that Mr Kan's remarks were "clearly undiplomatic".

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More News On Japan`s Demands That The Kuril Islands Be Returned To Them

Japan demands Kuril Islands be returned from Russia -- BBC
Russia and Japan wage war of words over islands -- AFP
Japanese PM Pledges Tenacious Effort to Recover Disputed Islands -- Voice of America
Russia calls on Japan to face realities on disputed islands -- Xinhuanet
Japanese premier's statements undiplomatic - Lavrov -- RIA Novosti
Russian Foreign Ministry condemns anti-Russian rhetoric in Japan (Update 1) -- RIA Novosti
Russia Says Japan PM's Remarks On Kurile Islands 'Undiplomatic' -- Radio Free Europe