Russia tests missiles near Japanese-claimed islands after Putin’s visit

The Pacific Fleet fired Bastion missiles near the disputed Kurils, escalating territorial tensions between Moscow and Tokyo

Russia’s Pacific Fleet said on Thursday it has conducted a missile test off a group of Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands amid an intensifying row over the disputed territory following President Vladimir Putin’s first-ever visit there last week.

While it was unclear exactly when the test was carried out, the announcement comes after the Russian foreign ministry summoned Japanese Ambassador to Russia Akira Muto over Japan’s protest against Putin’s trip to the area.

Putin visited Etorofu Island, the largest of the four islands collectively called the Northern Territories by Japan and the Southern Kurils by Russia, on August 13.

The naval fleet said a unit equipped with the Bastion surface-to-ship missile system conducted the test. The system is deployed to Etorofu.

The guided missile cruiser Varyag, the flagship of the Pacific Fleet, also took part in the missile test along with the Omsk nuclear-powered submarine, the fleet said.

The test simulated an attack on enemy vessels and succeeded in hitting all the intended targets at a range of at least 300km (186 miles), according to the fleet.