Russia's Pacific Fleet holds drill near Southern Kurils Islands

Russian President Vladimir Putin, commander-in-chief of the Russian Armed Forces, takes part in the final stage of Pacific Fleet exercises aboard the Varyag missile cruiser on August 12, 2026. /VCG Russian President Vladimir Putin, commander-in-chief of the Russian Armed Forces, takes part in the final stage of Pacific Fleet exercises aboard the Varyag missile cruiser on August 12, 2026. /VCG Russia's Pacific Fleet conducted missile strikes against targets near the coast of the Southern Kuril Islands (known as the Northern Territories in Japan) during a planned military exercise, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.