TOKYO, August 13. /ITAR-TASS/. Japan considers Russia’s military exercise that started on Tuesday near the South Kuriles unacceptable, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday. Japan is going to express a strong protest, he added.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said earlier on Wednesday it was collecting information about the trainings. Unilateral maneuvers are carried out on the territory that Japan considered its integral part, the ministry said.

The Russian Embassy in Tokyo has not yet confirmed it has received any notes of protest.

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 exercise is 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, the press office said.