evidence: Overshadowed by the invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s recent and rapid militarization of a group of islands claimed by Japan has flown largely under the radar. Taken by Russia at the end of World War Two, Kunashiri, Etorofu, Shikotan, and the Habomai islands of the Kuril Island chain, which Japan claims as its "Northern Territories," have complicated relations between the two states for decades. [...] The current chapter of Russian development of the Kuril Islands began with forces stationed in the Northern Territories receiving the Soviet-era Tor-M2U surface-to-air missile system in late 2015. Later, in 2017, a [...] The Kuril Islands are strategically located. They separate the Sea of Okhotsk from the wider Pacific Ocean, marking a vital point of egress for Russia’s Pacific Fleet. They also provide Russia valuable forward basing options for fires and intelligence collection. It should be little surprise then that Russia recently released an updated maritime doctrine saying it will protect the Kuril straits "by all means."