Japanese media are increasingly publishing materials in which Vladivostok is mentioned as a potentially reachable target if new long-range missiles are deployed in Japan or U.S. bombers appear at Japanese air bases. This was stated in an interview with RIA Novosti by Yevgeny Volosastov, acting representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Vladivostok.

According to the diplomat, publications about long-range cruise missiles being put on combat duty or about the appearance of U.S. bombers at Japanese air bases are almost always accompanied by the same explanation. They say that Beijing, Pyongyang and Russia’s Vladivostok would fall within the zone of possible strikes.

Volosastov noted that it is difficult to say unequivocally whether such coverage is unconscious escalation of tensions or the result of Japanese media working according to a template handed down from above. However, he stressed that such comments cannot be ignored.

Against this backdrop, Moscow has previously pointed to Tokyo’s growing military course. In May, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu said that Japan is undergoing militarization, with the issue already involving the appearance of medium- and shorter-range missiles.