Russia conducts missile test off Japan-claimed islands amid deepening row

MOSCOW (Kyodo) -- Russia's Pacific Fleet conducted a missile test off Russian-held Japanese-claimed islands, prompting a protest from Tokyo. The test, which simulated an attack on enemy vessels, took place off Etorofu Island, the largest of the four disputed territories collectively known as the Northern Territories by Japan and the Southern Kurils by Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov summoned Japan's Ambassador to Russia over Japan's protest of the military exercise. Japan expressed its dissatisfaction, stating that Russia's strengthening of military power on the islands violates Japan's stance on the territories, which it claims were illegally occupied by the Soviet Union after World War II.

Ties between Japan and Russia have deteriorated since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, leading to sanctions from Japan and its Group of Seven partners.