Russia defense chief visits disputed islands
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Russia's defense minister on Friday began an inspection tour of military facilities on disputed islands also claimed by Japan, prompting a sharp protest from Tokyo, officials and reports said.
Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov arrived in the southern Kuril islands to inspect a machine gun and artillery division and check on troops' combat readiness and living conditions, Russia's ITAR-Tass news agency said. (AP)
