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| Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announces the imposition of sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine, at his residence in Tokyo on Feb. 23. (Kyodo via Reuters) |
International Military - Japan's economic sanctions against Russia and its military aggression, prompting Moscow to withdraw from peace negotiations over disputed islands, 21 March 2022. “Under these circumstances, Russia has no intention of continuing peace treaty talks with them (Japan )”, said the Russian Foreign Minister.
"It is impossible for us to discuss something as important as this with a country that is openly taking a hostile attitude and trying to harm the country (Russia)," he added on The Diplomat's website. The Soviet Union captured four islands known as the Northern Territories to Japan and the Kuril Islands to Russia. And it happened since the last days of World War II
The four islands are known by different names in Japan and Russia, Shikotan/Habomai, Islets/Khabomai, Kunashiri/Kunashir and Etorofu/iturup. The two countries have been trying to reach a peace treaty since 1957, but have not yet reached an agreement due to disputes.
For example from The Diplomat, their peaceful efforts are to improve relations through economic channels, namely oil and gas projects on disputed islands. But since the conflict with Ukraine, Japan and Russia's diplomatic and economic ties have deteriorated and the impact has on the four islands.
It has been almost a month since Japan first froze the assets of Russian banks and key Moscow figures. Coupled with imposing export restrictions on diesel engines, semiconductors and other high-tech products.
On March 7, Japan decided to expand its sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian oligarchs and wealthy officials in Putin's government. In response, Russia added Japan to its list of “unfriendly countries”. And as it turned out, Russia did much more than that.
Russia conducts "intimidation" with military exercises
Russia has stationed around 3,500 troops along with tanks, artillery and rockets on the islands of Etorofu and Kunashiri to defend Moscow's position on the islands.
Coupled with the K-300P Bastion-P & 3K60 Bal coastal defense system, S-300V4 air defense system, T-72B3 tank, Smerch MLRS, Mi-8 multirole helicopter, Su-35 multirole fighter jet and Orlan-10 multipurpose UAV.
It should be noted that all the equipment they used during the conflict with Ukraine, quoted the EurAsian Times. The S-300V4 can be used against aerial threats at a range of up to 400 kilometers and an altitude of 37 kilometers.
The K-300P Bastion-P is a mobile coastal defense missile system deployed against surface ships including carrier strike groups, convoys and landing craft. It uses the P-800 Oniks supersonic anti-ship missile which is capable of hitting targets up to 300 kilometers away.
Not to mention the 3K60 Bal monitoring defense system which uses Kh-35 missiles with a maximum range of 120 kilometers. This combination can effectively execute medium-sized naval targets, such as frigates. Don't forget the Mi-8 multi-war helicopter and the Su-35 fighter jet, they can both face air, land and sea threats.
This armed exercise, according to the EurAsian Times, aims to prevent enemy forces from approaching. The islands are of immense strategic importance to Russia.