The Russian government stated, on February 1, that units of the Aerospace Forces (Vozdushno-Kosmicheskiye Sily—VKS) are to be located on Iturup Island (southern end of the Kurile Islands chain, disputed with Japan). This deployment should be seen as a first step in a strategy aimed at militarily fortifying the Russian Far East. Additionally, K-300P Bastion-P (SS-C-5 Stooge) and BAL mobile coastal defense missile systems are expected to be positioned on the Paramushir, Matua and Kunashir islands (the third of which is, again, disputed with Japan) (RIA Novosti, February 1). These steps seem to fit the program presented by the Russian top brass in the second half of December (expected to be implemented before the end of 2018) aimed at reinforcing parts of the Eastern Military District (EMD). Among other aspects, the emphasis will be made on the development of naval aviation and missile-defense divisions, which are to comprise a new single army-sized unit, with its headquarters on the Kamchatka Peninsula (Novosti-dny.ru, December 18, 2017).
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