Russia denounces Japan-US-Australia war games, warns Typhon missiles threaten its security

Russia has officially objected to the forthcoming joint military exercises between Japan, Australia and the United States, labeling the presence of U.S. Typhon missile launchers as a direct threat to its security. The "Orient Shield" maneuvers, set to run from September 8 to 24, will involve roughly 3,700 personnel and will be the largest drill of its kind to date. For the first time, the United States will field Typhon mid-range systems that can launch SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles, a move Moscow deems unacceptable near its Far Eastern borders.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow had warned the Japanese embassy that such provocative activity would not be tolerated and hinted at retaliatory steps. The complaint follows recent tensions sparked by President Vladimir Putin’s visit to a Russian-controlled island off northeast Japan, which Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi condemned as "absolutely unacceptable."