Is THIS Putin’s next land grab? Tyrant fires missiles off Pacific islands in ‘alarming’ escalation over naval flashpoint

VLADIMIR Putin has launched a missile test off a group of disputed Japanese Islands, in an “alarming” escalation that could spark a global conflict. The tests, which come off the back of Putin’s first visit to the contested Kuril islands, marks a “direct escalation” against Japan, experts warn. Vladimir Putin has launched a missile test off the contested Kuril Islands Credit: East2West Mad Vlad first visited the disputed Japanese Islands earlier this month Credit: East2West Japan maintains territorial rights over of the chain of Russian controlled islands Credit: Getty Experts told The Sun the missile tests mark a “direct escalation” against Japan Credit: East2West Missiles were reportedly fired in a simulation of an attack on enemy vessels, hitting targets located 186 miles away, Russia’s Pacific fleet said. A unit equipped with a surface-to-ship missile system conducted the live test, alongside a guided missile cruiser and a nuclear-powered submarine. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Professor James Brown, of Temple University in Japan, told The Sun: “Russia is trying to prove its undiminished military power in the far east despite enormous losses in Ukraine. “But this is a very tense region. Wherever you look there are flashpoints and they’re getting worse. “It could be a World War One situation – where a minor flashpoint triggers a global conflict.” A long-standing security tinderbox, the four southern-most Kuril islands were seized from Japan by the Soviet Union at the end of the Second World War. An estimated 17,000 Japanese residents were subsequently expelled from the territory which Russia now controls. Putin made his first high-profile visit to the island group this month Credit: AFP Russia’s Pacific Fleet launched Oniks missiles from Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands Credit: East2West Russia has beefed up its military presence on the islands Credit: East2West But Japan maintains territorial rights over of the chain, which it calls the Northern Territories, and argues they are illegally occupied. Most read in The Sun The decade-long dispute has kept the countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their hostilities. But their competing sovereignty have become entangled in a much wider contest. It comes just weeks after Putin made his first high-profile visit to the island group. The tyrant arrived in the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the Far Eastern island’s administrative centre on August 4, to participate in the final stage of a war exercise conducted by the Pacific Fleet. In his address to Russian servicemen, Putin said exercises are necessary to maintain readiness and protect his country’s interests and security in the region. But Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi condemned the visit. He said: “The Northern Territories, including Iturup Island, are inherently Japanese territory both historically and under international law, and the Government of Japan strongly protests this visit.” The disputed islands give Moscow a strategic foothold in the Pacific Credit: Getty Putin visiting the Yasny fish processing factory on Iturup island Credit: AFP Security expert Anthony Glees told The Sun the exercises are a ‘big worry for all of the democratic Asia-Pacific nations, as well as for us here in Europe’ Credit: East2West Over the years Russia has beefed up its military presence on the islands in moves that appeared to underscore its firm stance to not let go of the territory. The Kurils give Moscow a strategic foothold in the Pacific. The islands also have a practical value neighbouring key maritime routes, while nearby Sakhalin has substantial oil and gas resources. Moscow has also been conducting military activities with China and North Korea, including joint bomber flights and naval drills. This month, North Korea launched a string of missiles towards the Sea of Japan, while the region has also seen a rise in joint air and maritime patrols by Moscow and Beijing. It has fuelled concerns about an emerging anti-Western alignment involving the power trio. Experts say this is only the start of military activity in the area as tensions spiral out of control. James said: “You’ve got North Korea testing ballistic missiles, China’s claims to Taiwan. “At the least we will see more flights by nuclear capable bombers and more infringements within countries claimed airspace. “But there could also be more serious incidents like targeting of other countries vessels.” A direct confrontation like this could see the regional tensions explode in just “moments”, James said. He added: “You have Russian fighter jets and Chinese fighter jets operating in this area. “If that provoked another country to retaliate with fire things can escalate very very quickly. “It would be a World War One situation – where a minor flashpoint triggers a global conflict. “The US would be dragged in, China could lean on Russia and you also have North and South Korea getting involved.” It comes just weeks after Putin accused ⁠Nato of ⁠infiltrating the ⁠Asia-Pacific region, and ​creating ⁠tension in ‌the Arctic. He went on to accuse Japan of imposing sanctions on Russia that he said were “unprovoked” on Russia’s part. European security expert Anthony Glees told The Sun: “Putin is undoubtedly ramping up the pressure on Japan. “He’s doing this whilst Xi flexes his imperialist muscle in South China sea and Kim Jong-un launches missiles in the Sea of Japan, literally over the heads of the Japanese. “This Russian exercise is a big worry for all of the democratic Asia-Pacific nations, as well as for us here in Europe.” Glees said the move forms part of an “alarming” challenge by the three strong-men to challenge the West in the Asia-Pacific. He said: “Putin and Xi are major landgrabbers – as Ukraine, Taiwan and the newly built island bases in the South China Sea show. “Putin is warning that the whole region could fall victim to the imperial designs of this new triple Axis of Evil.” Comment now