Russia's Prime Minister Visits Disputed Iturup Island

Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev looks out from a window of an aircraft during his visit to Iturup Island, one of four islands known as the Southern Kurils in Russia and Northern Territories in Japan, Aug. 22.



Japan on Saturday lodged a protest over Medvedev's visit to one of four disputed Pacific islands which have strained ties between the two countries since the end of World War Two.



Read the story: Japan Protests Russian PM's Visit to Disputed Island

Dmitry Medvedev inspects a machine gun regiment during his visit to Iturup Island.

Dmitry Medvedev (2nd R, front), accompanied by Minister of Education and Science Dmitry Livanov (R) and other officials, attends the all-Russian youth educational forum "Iturup" in Kurilsk during his visit to Iturup Island.

Dmitry Medvedev attends the all-Russian youth educational forum "Iturup" in Kurilsk.

Dmitry Medvedev, accompanied by other officials, inspects a local airport during his visit to Iturup Island. The banner in the background reads "The Kurils is Russian land".