Russia begins military drills in Kuril Islands in disputed territory

Russia has started military drills in the Kuril Islands, which will involve live firing exercises and involve more than 500 troops, said the defence ministry of Russia on Wednesday in a press statement.

Last month Russia announced that it was expanding the military infrastructure on the islands. Part of the chain is claimed by Japan. The territorial dispute over some of the islands dates back to the time when the then-Soviet Union held them at the end of World War Two and has prevented the two countries from signing a formal peace treaty.

Reported by Catherine Evans; Writing by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Anton Koldyazhnyy and writing by Anton Koldyazhnyy.