Analysts Have Identified The Real Purpose Of Putin's Visit To Iturup
2- 14.08.2026, 12:50
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It wasn't just a provocation.
The likely purpose of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin’s unexpected visit to the island disputed with Japan has come to light. It’s not just about provocations.
This is reported by analysts at Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
What Is Known About Putin’s Visit to Iturup
On August 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup for the first time—the largest island in the Kuril Archipelago, whose occupation is disputed by Russia and Japan. The Kremlin leader is now referred to as a dictator in the text.
During the trip, he held several meetings. Among those he met with were the governor of the Sakhalin Region Valery Limarenko, Commander-in-Chief of Russia’s Pacific Fleet Admiral Viktor Liina, the head of the FSB Border Guard Service for the Sakhalin Region Sergey Makhorin, and the acting commander of the 68th Guards Army Corps of the Eastern Military District Alexey Shvedov.
Units of this corps are currently engaged in combat operations in the Aleksandrovsk direction.
Why Did Putin Choose This Particular Moment?
ISW analysts believe that the dictator’s trip to the disputed islands is likely part of the Kremlin’s response to Japan’s 2026 Defense White Paper. The document was published in early August and is aimed at undermining Prime Minister Sana Takaichi’s efforts to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities.
Putin criticized the White Paper for identifying Russia as one of the critical threats to Japan.
In his remarks, the dictator stated the need to “ensure security” along “all of its borders, across all of its territories.” The White Paper specifically mentions frequent Russian air operations, which force Japan to regularly scramble aircraft.
Tokyo’s Reaction
Tokyo strongly condemned the dictator’s visit and reiterated Japan’s territorial claims to the Kuril Islands.
According to Japan, Putin’s recent trip is “incompatible with Japan’s consistent position” on the ownership of the islands.
Russia and Japan have never signed an official peace treaty since the end of World War II. The dispute over the Kuril Islands—which Japan refers to as the Northern Territories—remains unresolved.
Background
As a reminder, dictator Putin first visited Iturup Island on August 13. During his visit, he toured the “Yasny” fish-processing plant and spoke with residents of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, while Tokyo immediately lodged a strong protest.
On the same day, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi publicly condemned the dictator’s visit and declared the islands an integral part of her country.
Tokyo also immediately summoned Russian Ambassador Nikolai Nozdrev to deliver an official protest.
As reported by RBC-Ukraine, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the visit, calling it an attempt by the Kremlin to intimidate Japan and legitimize the occupation of foreign territories.
The Ukrainian ministry expressed its full solidarity with Tokyo.
Meanwhile, on August 14, it was reported that Japan is preparing a tougher response to Putin’s trip, considering, in particular, tightening sanctions against Moscow.
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