Russia warns of retaliation against Japan and South Korea.

At a press briefing on December 27, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that Japan's transfer of Patriot air defense missile systems to Ukraine would have serious consequences for Moscow-Tokyo relations, according to Reuters.

Japan's Patriot 3 Advanced Capability Air Defense System (PAC-3)

The aforementioned relationship was already strained before Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022. Japan, along with its Western allies, imposed sanctions on Russia and provided assistance to Ukraine, although Tokyo did not supply weapons to Kyiv.

In a shift, the Japanese government recently relaxed regulations on defense equipment exports, allowing it to supply Patriot missiles to the United States and 155mm artillery shells to the United Kingdom. The new regulations permit Japan to supply equipment and weapons to countries that have licensed Tokyo to manufacture those weapons.

After receiving missiles from Japan to supplement its stockpile, the U.S. could transfer them to Ukraine and European partners. However, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said the U.S. must obtain Tokyo's consent before transferring missiles to a third country.

"Japan has lost control over weapons that Washington can now use however it wants. It cannot be ruled out that Patriot missiles will be delivered to Ukraine as part of a tested plan. Such a development would be seen as a clear act of hostility against Russia and would have serious consequences for Japan in the context of bilateral relations," Zakharova said.

Also at the press conference, Zakharova reminded South Korea that it should not be surprised if Russia retaliated against Seoul's latest export restrictions.

Earlier this week, South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy added 682 items to its list of goods subject to export controls to Russia and Belarus starting in 2024. According to TASS, these goods are believed to be potentially used for military purposes and include construction equipment, rechargeable batteries, aircraft parts, passenger vehicles, and more.

"This action will harm South Korea's own economy and industry. We have the right to take countermeasures, and it doesn't need to be proportionate," said a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

South Korea and Japan have not immediately commented on Russia's latest statement.

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