With a population of about 2,800, the island also serves as base for a detachment of Russian border guards keeping watch over the country’s eastern reaches.
While Tokyo keeps insisting that the island belongs to Japan, Shikotan, like the rest of the Kuril Islands, remains a sovereign territory of Russia.
© Sputnik / Andrei Shapran / Go to the mediabankThe view of Shikotan, the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Chain.
The view of Shikotan, the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Chain.
© Sputnik / Andrei Shapran / Go to the mediabankThe view of Shikotan, the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Chain.
The view of Shikotan, the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Chain.
© Sputnik / Andrei Shapran / Go to the mediabankAn IS-2 main battle tank seen in the vicinity of Krabzavodskoye settlement on Shikotan island.
An IS-2 main battle tank seen in the vicinity of Krabzavodskoye settlement on Shikotan island.
© Sputnik / Andrei Shapran / Go to the mediabankThe view of Shikotan, the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Chain.
The view of Shikotan, the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Chain.
© Sputnik / Andrei Shapran / Go to the mediabankThe view of Shikotan, the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Chain.
The view of Shikotan, the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Chain.
© Sputnik / Andrej Shapran / Go to the mediabankThe view of Shikotan, the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Chain.
The view of Shikotan, the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Chain.
A dead tree seen on the island of Shikotan.
© Sputnik / Andrej Shapran / Go to the mediabankThe Shpanberg Lighthouse, located on Cape Crab of the Shikotan island.
The Shpanberg Lighthouse, located on Cape Crab of the Shikotan island.
© Sputnik / Andrej Shapran / Go to the mediabankThe view of Shikotan, the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Chain.
The view of Shikotan, the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Chain.
© Sputnik / Andrej Shapran / Go to the mediabankThe view of Shikotan, the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Chain.
The view of Shikotan, the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Chain.
© Sputnik / Andrei Shapran / Go to the mediabankA border guards settlement located on the shores of Malokurilskaya cove of Shikotan island.
A border guards settlement located on the shores of Malokurilskaya cove of Shikotan island.
© Sputnik / Andrei Shapran / Go to the mediabankThe view of Shikotan, the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Chain.
The view of Shikotan, the largest island of the Lesser Kuril Chain.
© Sputnik / Andrei Shapran / Go to the mediabankFishing vessels moored at Krabovaya cove, Shikotan island.
Fishing vessels moored at Krabovaya cove, Shikotan island.
© Sputnik / Andrei Shapran / Go to the mediabankThe Shpanberg Lighthouse, located on Cape Crab of the Shikotan island.
The Shpanberg Lighthouse, located on Cape Crab of the Shikotan island.