Why are the Kuril Islands so important for Russia

The Kuril Islands, part of the Sakhalin Oblast, consist of 56 large and small islands of volcanic origin. Stretching from north to south, from Kamchatka to the Japanese island of Hokkaido, these islands have a much more important geostrategic significance for Russia than it might seem at first glance.

Non-freezing straits

Between the islands of the Kuril ridge, there are only two straits that do not freeze in the cold season. This is the Strait of Catherine, located between the islands of Iturup and Kunashir, as well as the Strait of Frieza between the islands of Iturup and Urup. If these southern islands belonged to another country, it would be hard to imagine how transport would be between, for example, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Vladivostok in winter. In addition, do not forget about the Russian navy in the Far East. Ships from Vladivostok in winter will not be able to enter the Pacific Ocean without agreement with third countries.

Mineral deposits

Despite their small size, the islands of the Kuril ridge contain significant volumes of proven mineral resources. Nonferrous metal ores and mercury were found here, and hydrocarbon deposits were found in the coastal zone. In addition, the richest rhenium mineral deposit in the world was found on Iturup Island. Rhenium is contained in the form of the mineral rhenite, the extraction of metal from which is more promising than mining by traditional methods. In addition, rhenium is a very rare metal with a number of unique properties, and therefore it is very much appreciated in the world market.

Sea of Okhotsk status

In 2014, one of the most important recent events in the field of regulating the legal status of offshore territories of Russia took place. The UN Commission on the Continental Shelf recognized the Sea of Okhotsk as the inland sea of the Russian Federation, and, accordingly, the right to all natural resources that this territory contains. These are not only the richest hydrocarbon deposits, but also biological resources - fish, crabs and other seafood. It is not difficult to guess that if at least part of the Kuril Islands belonged to another country, Russia would have to share these riches with a neighbor.

Fishery for bioresources

The coastal waters of the Kuril Islands are the richest reserves of Kamchatka crabs, salmon and many other valuable biological resources. Regular cases of poaching of foreign vessels in the coastal waters of the archipelago eloquently testify to the increased interest in this territory from other countries.

Kuril Islands population

Non-freezing straits and natural resources are, of course, very important. But the main wealth of the Kuril Islands is the people who live here. According to 2017 data, more than 19 thousand people live in two cities and several villages. This is quite a lot, given the island specifics of the region and certain difficulties caused by transport accessibility. The islands are a special world, and the people who inhabit the Kuril Islands are very fond of their small homeland.