Russia has deployed mobile coastal missile systems in the Northern Kuril Islands, part of a strategically located island chain that stretches between Japan and Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. This was reported by the Reuters agency, quoting the Russian Defense Ministry.
The Russian Bastion missile systems, which have missiles with a range of up to 500km, were located on Paramushir Island in the northern part of the Kuril Islands. The Pacific Fleet coastal servicemen will conduct round-the-clock surveillance to check the adjacent water area and strait areas, the ministry said.
a military camp was established on Paramushir with conditions permitting year-round service, accommodation, recreation and food for the personnel.
The air defense deployment comes a year after Russia established Bastion systems on Matua Island in the central part of the Kuril range.
Japan claims the Russian-controlled Southern Kuril Islands, which Tokyo calls the Northern Territories. The territorial dispute dates back to the end of World War II when Soviet troops captured the islands from Japan.
