TOKYO, August 13. /ITAR-TASS/. Japan has filed a protest against Russian military training that started on Tuesday near the South Kuriles, press officer of the Russian Embassy in Tokyo Alexander Bondarenko said on Wednesday.

“We met the Japanese foreign ministry’s representatives to this effect,” he said.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said earlier on Wednesday the trainings are unacceptable and promised a protest. Maneuvers are carried out on the territory that Japan considers its integral part, the Ministry said.

More than 1,000 servicemen and about a hundred pieces of combat and special equipment, including five helicopters Mi-8AMTSh, are taking part in the planned exercise on the islands of Kunashir and Iturup, press office of the Eastern military district said on Tuesday.

The exercises are to include elements of coastal defense with cutting-edge Russian-built unmanned aerial vehicles and a landing operation from Mi-8AMTSh on one of the islands.