The Russian ministry of defense announced that the country has deployed mobile coastal defense missile systems in the Kuril Islands near Japan.
Bastion coastal missile system on the Kuril island of Paramushir. Image credit: Russian ministry of defense
The missiles are now located in the northern Kuril island in a strategically important chain of islands between Japan and the Russian Kamchatka Peninsula.
The dispute between Japan and Russia regarding the territorial ownership of the southernmost Kuril Islands dates back to the end of World War II, when the former Soviet Union annexed these lands from Japan.
Tokyo calls these islands Northern Territories. To this date, they remain under the Russian administration.
The Russian Bastion systems have been deployed on the island o Paramushir. This development was announced by the Russian ministry of defense. These missiles are capable of reaching a maximum flight range of up to 500 km (310 miles).
Bastion missiles are designed to be used against surface ships. Weapons are mounted on an MZKT-7930 8×8 heavy transporter vehicle, each containing two missiles. The system can be readied for launch in approximately 5 minutes, firing both rockets within 2-5 seconds.
Bastion P platforms use P-800 Oniks (Onyx) supersonic anti-ship missiles containing 200-250 kg (440-550 lb) warheads. To sustain flight, they use liquid fuel ramjet engines capable of propelling the rocket to Mach 2.5.
During the initial flight stage, P-800 Oniks use GLONASS guidance, and active radar guidance when approaching the target.
Also, the military camp has been set up on the same island. This camp is equipped with facilities allowing year-round military personnel stay.
A year ago, Russia deployed a Bastion missile launcher battery on the island of Matua, located in the central part of the Kuril ridge.
Japan supports and participates in economic sanctions imposed on Russia by Western countries following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022.
In response, Russia ended peace treaty talks with Japan regarding the Kuril Islands and also stopped joint economic projects related to this geographical location.
Bastion is the main platform for launching Onyx missiles during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.