Russia stated on Wednesday that U.S. missile deployments in Japan would threaten its security, prompting Moscow to respond decisively.
Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported that Japan and the U.S. are working on a joint military plan for potential emergencies around Taiwan, which includes deploying missiles. According to Japanese and U.S. sources, the plan involves stationing missile units in Japan’s Nansei Islands, specifically Kagoshima and Okinawa, as well as in the Philippines.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Japan of escalating tensions over Taiwan to justify deeper military ties with Washington.
“We have warned Japan that if U.S. medium-range missiles appear on its territory as a result of this cooperation, it will pose a serious threat to Russia’s security, and we will be forced to take necessary measures to strengthen our defense,” Zakharova said.
She referenced Russia’s recently updated nuclear doctrine, which broadens the scenarios under which Moscow could consider using nuclear weapons, hinting that Japan should consider its implications.
Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Russia might deploy short- and medium-range missiles in Asia if the U.S. proceeds with similar deployments on the continent.
When asked where Russia might station these weapons, Zakharova declined to specify but noted that half of Russia’s territory lies in Asia.
She emphasized that Moscow has sent a clear message to the U.S. and its allies that Russia would respond decisively and symmetrically to any deployment of ground-based missiles with medium and short ranges worldwide.
Zakharova also pointed to the recent test of Russia’s new Oreshnik hypersonic medium-range missile, which successfully struck a target in Ukraine, as evidence of the country’s capabilities.
