INTERNATIONAL: Russian Bastion coastal missile defence system have been deployed to a remote part of the Kuril island chain in the Pacific near Japan on Thursday.

Japan lays claim to the Russian-held southern Kuril Islands that Tokyo calls the Northern Territories, a territorial row that dates back to the end of World War Two when Soviet troops seized them from Japan.

Bastion coastal defense missile systems could be seen being relocated to Matua a deserted volcanic island in the Pacific chain's middle. The Bastion can hit targets at sea at a range of up to 500 kilometers. The missile systems were not the only thing deployed to the islands; It was seen using large landing ships,iving quarters for military personnel and vehicle hangars were also transported.

The islands have a history of Russian ties. Matua was previously a territory of the Soviet Union and even housed a military base. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, it has reverted to being Japanese territory years after the nation set up a military base there during World War II. Japan currently claims territorial rights over the four southernmost islands in the chain, with Matua one of them.

The dispute has prevented the countries from signing a formal peace treaty. Russia is trying to beef up its military infrastructure on the island chain.