Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup, an island claimed by Japan at the end of the Kuril chain near Japan’s Hokkaido, Russian media reported Thursday, prompting a strong protest from Tokyo.
The visit came a day after major Russian naval drills and a ballistic missile launch by North Korea, a Russian ally.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by Sakhalin region Governor Valery Limarenko and regional Minister of Education Anastasia Kikteva, visits a school on the Southern Kuril Island of Iturup, in far eastern Sakhalin Region, Russia, August 13, 2026. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
State news agency TASS described the trip as Putin’s first in-person visit to the island chain. Putin traveled to Iturup after overseeing the Russian Pacific Fleet’s military exercises in the country’s Far East.
Russian President Vladimir Putin checks products during his visit to the Yasny fish processing complex on the Southern Kuril Island of Iturup, in the far eastern Sakhalin Region, Russia, August 13, 2026. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
During the visit, he toured the Yasny fish-processing plant, where officials briefed him on fishing and the migratory behavior of fish. Russian television showed Putin examining large tuna and halibut and later trying local fish roe.
“What lovely weather you have there, just like a resort!” Putin told a group of Iturup residents. One woman, who appeared to be in her 30s, jokingly replied, “And we thought you arranged this!”
Japan Strongly Protests Visit
Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi protested Putin’s visit in a post on X.
“The northern territories, including Etorofu, are Japan’s inherent territory both historically and based on international law,” Motegi said. “Japan strongly protests this visit.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by Sakhalin region Governor Valery Limarenko and regional Minister of Education Anastasia Kikteva, walks during his visit on the Southern Kuril Island of Iturup, in far eastern Sakhalin Region, Russia, August 13, 2026. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
The territorial dispute over the islands has remained a major obstacle to relations between Moscow and Tokyo. The two countries never signed a formal peace treaty following World War II, with the unresolved dispute over the islands preventing an agreement.
Japan refers to the disputed islands as the Northern Territories.
Visit Follows Russian Drills and North Korean Missile Launch
Putin’s visit followed major naval exercises conducted by Russia in its Far East on Wednesday. North Korea, meanwhile, fired a ballistic missile toward waters off the east of the Korean Peninsula.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Sakhalin region Governor Valery Limarenko during his visit on the Southern Kuril Island of Iturup, in far eastern Sakhalin Region, Russia, August 13, 2026. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
The missile launch came days before major joint military exercises planned by South Korea and the United States, which Pyongyang has repeatedly denounced.
