Russia Deploys Bastion Missile System On Island Also Claimed By Japan

The Bastion anti-missile system to an island North of Japan is able to target and destroy entire carrier groups and landing craft around islands disputed with Japan. Image | Russian Ministry of Defense.

By Donald Standeford, SJ Founder/Publisher
December 06, 2022 06:00 Pm UTC
Modified: 2022-12-06 06:00 Pm

KURIL - Russia has deployed the Bastion coastal missile system on Kuril island of Paramushir, Russia which is an island also claimed by Japan, known by the Japanese as the "Northern Territories".

Both Russia and Japan lay claim to the Kuril island chain. In June 2022 the Russian Foreign Ministry put out a statement saying that they were suspending their fishing agreement with Japan allowing Japan to have fishing rights near the disputed islands.

Last Year Russia Set The Bastion System Up On Island Near Kuril Island Chain

In December 2021, Russia deployed the Bastion missile system on the uninhabited island of Matua, which sits near the Kuril islands.

The Bastion anti-missile system is able to target and destroy entire carrier groups, convoys, surface ships and landing craft.

Matua is a deserted volcanic island in the center of the Kuril islands and was once used by Japan's military as a base of operations during world war 2. Russia took the Kuril islands after that and had a base of its own on it until it was closed in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Russia Eager To Maintain Control Over Sea Of Okhotsk, Important For Its Submarines

James Brown, an international affairs expert at Temple University in Japan said in 2021 that Russia had been talking about building a military base of operations on Matua for years. "It now seems to be pushing forward with these plans" he stated.

"Russia is also eager to maintain its control over the Sea of Okhotsk, which is important for its nuclear subs," Brown said at the time.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said in 2021, "The crews of Bastion coastal missile system of the Pacific Fleet were deployed for the first time and took on duty on the island of Matua".

"On this remote island in the central part of the Kuril Ridge, servicemen will be on a 24-hour watch to monitor the adjacent water area and straits. The personnel began to be on duty and to carry out planned combat training activities," its statement said.

Russia To Have Round-The-Clock Watch Controlling Adjacent Water And Strait Zones

The Bastion coastal missile systems have a flight range of around 500 kilometers or roughly 310 miles.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said, "Coastal servicemen of the Pacific Fleet will keep a round-the-clock watch to control the adjacent water area and strait zones," after announcing their deployment on the Kuril island of Paramushir.

The ministry said that the military camp was established on Paramushir with conditions that will allow for year-round service, accommodation, recreation, and food for the military personnel on the island.