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Russia makes bold military move in the Pacific

The Russian military has deployed coastal defence missile systems near the Kuril Islands, a Pacific chain also claimed by Japan.

The Bastion systems were moved to Matua, a deserted volcanic island in the middle of the chain.

Japan claims the four southernmost islands.

Dispute over the island chain has remained since World War II. Source: Russian Defence Ministry
Dispute over the island chain has remained since World War II. Source: Russian Defence Ministry

Russia's Defence Ministry posted a video overnight showing massive missile carriers moving ashore from amphibious landing vessels and driving along the coast of the volcanic island to take firing positions as part of drills.

The ministry said the deployment involved setting up living quarters for personnel, hangars for the vehicles and other infrastructure.

The Bastion is capable of hitting sea targets at a range of up to 500km.

The deployment followed a series of moves by Russia to beef up its military presence on the Kuril Islands.

Russian crews of Bastion coastal missile system of the Pacific Fleet were deployed for the first time. Source: Russian Defence Ministry
Russian crews of Bastion coastal missile system of the Pacific Fleet were deployed for the first time. Source: Russian Defence Ministry

In 2016, it stationed the Bal and the Bastion coastal defence missile systems on two of the four southernmost Kuril Islands.

In the following years, it followed up by sending top-of-the-line air defence missiles systems there and setting up an air base on the Iturup Island where fighter jets were deployed.

Japan asserts territorial rights to the four southernmost islands of the Kuril chain and calls them Northern Territories.

The Soviet Union took the islands in the final days of World War II and the dispute has kept the countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their hostilities.

The oval-shaped 11km-long island where the Russian missiles were deployed hosted a Japanese military base during WWII.

After the Soviet takeover of the Kuril Islands, Matua was home to a Soviet military base that was closed amid funding shortages following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.

Asked about the missile deployment, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia has a sovereign right to deploy its military forces wherever it deems necessary on its territory.

At the same time, he noted that Russia values relations with Japan and remains committed to efforts to negotiate a settlement of the dispute.

"We maintain a political will to pursue a comprehensive dialogue with our Japanese partners in order to find ways of settlement," Peskov said in a conference call with reporters.

US 'deeply concerned' by Russian military aggression

It comes as concern grows in the West over Russia's military buildup near Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned overnight of a return to the "nightmare scenario of a military confrontation" in Europe, as tensions spike over Ukraine.

Speaking at the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) meeting in Stockholm, Lavrov accused NATO of bringing its military infrastructure "closer to the Russian borders".

The United States, meanwhile, condemned Russia military aggression and called for it to pull back.

In remarks during the first session of the OSCE summit, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pointed to the annexation of Crimea by Russian forces, saying it resulted in "relentless abuses" for local people, and said the US was deeply concerned about a repeat in the Ukraine.

"We are deeply concerned by evidence that Russia has made plans for further significant aggression against Ukraine, and so we call on Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity to de-escalate, reverse the recent troop buildup, return forces to normal peaceful positions, and to implement the Minsk commitments, especially the ceasefire provisions and those allowing OSCE monitors unfettered access," he said.

with AP

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