Moscow, 14 April 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Russia has put its entire Pacific fleet on alert and combat readiness in an unannounced review involving the disputed Kuril Islands, against the backdrop of massive tensions with the West.

In an accompanying troop exercise, soldiers will practice defending against an attempted enemy landing on the southern Kuril Islands and Sakhalin Island, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday.

Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said the manoeuvre would be held in three stages, from mobilizing troops to launching ships and simulating combat operations.

The flagship of the Russian Pacific Fleet is the missile cruiser Varyag. It is to be accompanied by three frigates and about 60 smaller warships and landing ships, plus around 20 submarines, including nuclear submarines.

Parts of the air and missile forces are also due to take part in the exercise, as are supply units.

Shoigu said the aim of the exercise is to better prepare the units for a possible attack. He said that foreign military attachés have been informed about the aim of the exercise.

The sudden exercise is concerning not only due to the high tensions between Russia and the West over the Kremlin's war on Ukraine but also because of the named enemy targets, including the southern Kuril Islands.

Russia and neighbouring Japan have been in a territorial dispute over the four southernmost Kuril islands since the end of World War II. The conflict has prevented the two nations from signing a peace treaty.

Photo: EPA