Russia May Build Pacific Fleet Base on Matua Island in Kurils Chain

The Russian Defense Ministry is considering the possibility of building a base for units of the Pacific Fleet on the Matua Island in the Kurils chain, Commander of the Eastern Military District Col. Gen. Sergei Surovikin said Friday.

According to Surovikin, the Russian military and the Russian Geographic Society are currently conducting a joint expedition to the Kurils chain, which involves six ships and over 200 participants. The Matua Island hosts three airstrips dating back to World War II.

"The main goal of the expedition is to study the possibility of basing Pacific Fleet forces there," Surovikin said at a meeting with the district's senior commanders.