Russia conducts exercises in disputed islands with Japan.
Russia has said it is conducting exercises in the disputed islands of Japan, days after it withdrew from peace talks in response to Tokyo’s decision to impose sanctions on Russia over its aggression in Ukraine.
The four islands – which Russia calls the Southern Kurils and Japan calls the Northern Territories – are the subject of a more than 70-year dispute between the two nations.
Due to the dispute, Russia and Japan have not yet signed a peace treaty to end World War II.
Earlier this week, Russia said it was withdrawing from negotiations with Japan aimed at signing that treaty because of Tokyo’s tough stance against Moscow’s occupation of Ukraine.
And now, Russia’s Eastern Military District says it will conduct military exercises on islands with more than 3,000 troops and hundreds of pieces of military equipment.
Japan had previously condemned Russia for withdrawing from peace talks and banning joint economic projects related to the islands.