of the 87th Rifle Corps were landed by torpedo boats, mine trawlers and transports (departing from Otomari) on Kunashir and Shikotan in the southern Kuril Islands. This was an assault landing against Japanese resistance. On 4 September, 87th Rifle Corps occupied five smaller islands (Sibotzu, Taraku-Shima, Uri-Shima, Akiuri, and Suiseto). After 4 September, Soviet forces occupied the rest of the Kuril Islands without further resistance. The islands remained part of Russia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, but their true legal status remains in question as part of the Kuril Islands dispute between Russia, Japan, and other parties. See also Battle of Shumshu Japanese evacuation of Karafuto and the Kuril Islands References Kuril Islands Military operations involving the Soviet Union Japan–Soviet Union relations Kuril Islands 1945 in Japan 1945 in the Soviet Union Conflicts in 1945 Kuril Islands Amphibious operations of World War II August 1945 events in Asia September 1945 events in Asia Military operations involving Japan