Putin accuses NATO of expanding influence in the Pacific

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused NATO of expanding its influence in the Pacific region, speaking while observing the final stage of the Russian Pacific Fleet exercises in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. He said the likelihood of conflict was rising as new military and political blocs form and new weapons systems are deployed or planned for deployment. Putin said the drills were necessary to protect Russia's security and interests in the Pacific, adding that the marines have the capacity to carry out all assigned tasks. He noted that Japan's latest military documents list Russia among its main threat sources for the first time, and said Moscow has no threat or claim directed at Tokyo. The Russian president also criticized sanctions imposed by Japan over the war in Ukraine, describing the seizure of Russian vessels and the sale of Russian assets as piracy and plunder. The Pacific Fleet exercises began on 4 August under Fleet Commander Admiral Viktor Lina, with roughly 60 ships, submarines and support vessels, 30 aircraft, helicopters and drones, and more than 13,000 troops taking part.