Russia builds surveillance bases on disputed Kuril Islands to boost military presence and counter Japan-US alliance

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu revealed during a meeting with the Russian military on Friday that multiple surveillance bases are being built in the northern areas and the Chishima archipelago, known in Russia as the Kuril Islands, according to Russian state news agency TASS. As part of efforts to increase the Navy’s response capabilities, the Russian military is improving the capacity of its coastal communications facilities. Shoigu, however, did not provide further details.

Shoigu explained that the Black Sea Fleet operates similar facilities to collect data on the invasion of Ukraine, which led to the downing of drones. This move may be influenced by the growing cooperation between the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the US military.