Russia's Pacific Fleet conducted missile tests involving a nuclear-powered submarine, a guided-missile cruiser, and the Bastion coastal defence system near the southern Kuril Islands on August 20, 2026, successfully hitting targets more than 300 km away, officials said [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The tests followed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Etorofu (Iturup) Island on August 13, his first to the disputed islands held by Russia but claimed by Japan [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The missile drills involved approximately 60 surface ships, submarines, and support vessels, about 30 aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles, and over 13,000 personnel from the Pacific Fleet's naval aviation and surface units, according to Russian sources [2]. The exercises were part of scheduled combat training, with the firing areas closed beforehand to civilian shipping and aircraft [2, 5].
Japan lodged a protest on August 21, with Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi saying, "We cannot tolerate moves to strengthen military power on the Four Northern Islands because they go against our country’s stance [on the territories]" [2]. He added that Russia’s military buildup including the missile drills was "unacceptable" and violated Japan's position on the disputed islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories or Four Northern Islands, seized by the Soviet Union after World War II [1, 2, 3].
Putin has criticized Japan’s sanctions and defense documents portraying Russia as a threat, stating, "The region is unfortunately becoming increasingly prone to conflict, with Nato seeking to gain a foothold here and the emergence of new military and political blocs. There are efforts and plans to deploy new weapons systems here, which creates threats for our country" [1, 2]. Russia deployed Bastion coastal defence batteries on Iturup Island as early as 2016 [1, 3, 4, 5].
The wider naval exercises began on August 4 and involved live-fire drills, for which Japan was informed in advance [2]. Japan protested the overall scale of the Russian maneuvers on August 5 [2]. Putin observed parts of the exercises from the cruiser Varyag on August 12 before visiting Etorofu Island the next day [2, 3, 4, 5].
Japan’s most recent protest over the August 20 missile tests prompted a reiteration of Tokyo's position against Russia's military buildup on the islands [1, 2, 3]. The situation remains tense in the region as both sides monitor developments closely.
