Kunashir Island

Russia: Forgotten Soviet TANKS remain on Kunashir Island

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• published: 02 Nov 2014
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W/S Kunashir Island W/S Turret of T-54/55 battle tank M/S Turret of T-54/55 battle tank M/S Turret of T-54/55 battle tank M/S Turret of T-54/55 battle tank C/U Manhole of T-54/55 battle tank C/U Artillery tube W/S Top of tank turret W/S Road to Yuzhno-Kurilsk city C/U Tube W/S Top of tank turret M/S Artillery tube W/S Artillery tube behind bushes M/S Entrance to underground pillbox W/S Inside of pillbox C/U Loophole W/S Tank turret and artillery tube in the bushes W/S Seaside road, by-passing truck W/S Japanese cemetery M/S Gravestones C/U Gravestone M/S Gravestone C/U Gravestone C/U Gravestone M/S Gravestone C/U Angel figure M/S Gravestone covered by grass M/S Gravestone C/U Gravestone W/S Kunashir Island SCRIPT Traces of Cold War era defences are still visible across Kunashir, one of the four islands that make up the Kuril Island chain located to the south of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. Abandoned rusty tanks buried by overgrown bushes and grass are scattered across the island, as well as underground passages and fortified positions. A well-maintained Japanese cemetery, which relatives of those who lived and died on the territory return to visit, also marks the island's Japanese legacy. While Tokyo has demanded that Moscow recognise Japan as the 'rightful owners' of the Southern Kurils, Moscow maintains that the islands have been an integral part of Russia since they fell under Soviet control after World War II. The decades-long dispute over the ownership of South Kuril Islands has prevented Moscow and Tokyo from signing a formal peace treaty for 67 years, recognising the cessation of hostilities following the end of World War II. Known as the Northern Territories by Japan, Shikotan, Kunashir, Iturup and Habomai make up the Southern Kurils.