Russia protests Japan's planned joint military drills with US Near its borders

The Russian Foreign Ministry has lodged a formal protest with Japan regarding Tokyo's announcement of upcoming joint military exercises with the United States, set to occur in close proximity to Russian borders.

Scheduled for late September, the large-scale military exercises, known as Keen Sword-25, will involve approximately 45,000 personnel from both nations, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

The Japanese Ministry of Defence has indicated that the exercises will utilize military bases operated by Japan Self-Defence Forces alongside facilities of the US Armed Forces. Notably, the exercises will also engage several civilian airports and ports, although specifics on the civilian locations have yet to be disclosed.

Previous government directives suggest that up to 28 civilian infrastructure sites may be designated for military use and potential evacuation operations during the exercises, raising further apprehensions in Moscow about the implications for regional security.

By Vafa Guliyeva