Russian media are reporting that the country's Defense Ministry has deployed the latest anti-ship missile systems on two of four Russian-held islands that Japan claims.
Tuesday's reports say the ministry has installed the new missiles on Etorofu and Kunashiri islands, where Russian troops are stationed. The Bastion missile complex deployed on Etorofu is said to have a range of 500 kilometers. The Bal system on Kunashiri has a range of 300 kilometers.
The islands are two of the four islands comprising what the Japanese call the Northern Territories. Japan maintains the islands are an inherent part of its territory.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced the missile deployment plan in March. The media reports say test launches will be carried out before the end of the year.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit Japan next month. Experts say Russia is making clear its intention to beef up defenses on the islands before Putin's visit.
◆deploy 配備する、展開する
◆anti-ship missile systems 地対艦ミサイルシステム
◆station 駐留させる、配備する
◆complex 複合体
◆range 弾丸・ミサイルなどの射程距離
◆comprise 含む、全体から成る
◆maintain 主張する
◆inherent 固有の
◆beef up 強化する
