Russia’s defense minister said Moscow plans to build a military base on the Kuril Islands, some of which are also claimed by Japan.

Sergei Shoigu told reporters Thursday that Russia is planning to put a large modern base on the islands with equipment necessary for border protection. The Kuril Islands lie off of Russia’s eastern coast, northeast of Japan.

Japan claims land in the southern Kuriles, which it calls the Northern Territories.

The dispute between Russia and Japan over these islands has remained unresolved since World War Two. The conflict has kept the two nations from signing a formal peace treaty.

Shoigu said there will also be military bases placed on Cape Schmidt, which is on the eastern coast of the Chukchi autonomous region, and Wrangel Island, which lies to the northeast of the mainland in the Chukchi Sea.

The new military bases on Russia’s eastern edge are just a few hundred kilometers from the United States’ westernmost coastline.

 
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