Russia conducts military drills on isles disputed with Japan | Al Jazeera

Russia was conducting drills on islands claimed by Tokyo, Japanese media reported, days after Moscow halted peace talks with Japan because of its sanctions over Russia’s invasion[sp.op.] of Ukraine.

Russia’s Eastern Military District said it was conducting military drills on the Kuril islands with more than 3,000 troops and hundreds of pieces of army equipment, Russia’s Interfax news agency said.

It did not say where on the island chain, connecting Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula and Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido, the drills were taking place.

Japanese media said they were on territory the Soviet Union seized at the end of World War Two that is claimed by Tokyo. Japan’s Foreign Ministry and Prime Minister’s Office could not be reached outside business hours to comment on the exercises.