The key facts
- Maria Zakharova on October 21 warned of a tough response and 'measures sensitive for Tokyo' in response to supplies of Japanese combat drones to Ukraine.
- In April 2026, she had already called the partnership between Terra Drone Corporation and Ukraine's Amazing Drones hostile.
- On October 6, the Russian Foreign Ministry promised a proportionate response to Japan's 27th sanctions package; in March 2025, Russia banned entry for nine Japanese nationals, including former Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.
Statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned at a briefing on October 21 that the supply of combat drones to Ukraine by a Japanese company will not go without consequences for Tokyo. According to her, Moscow has the necessary resources for retaliatory steps affecting the interests of the Japanese side. 'We clearly state that such attacks against Russia will not go without a tough response and measures sensitive for Tokyo in relevant areas. Our country has the resources for this,' the diplomat is quoted as saying by Life.ru. She called the cooperation of Japanese business with Ukraine in the field of combat drones an unfriendly step.
Previous Warnings
Moscow had previously warned Tokyo about the consequences of military cooperation with Kyiv. In April 2026, Zakharova called the partnership between Japan's Terra Drone Corporation and Ukraine's Amazing Drones, which develops strike drones, a hostile step, stating that such projects threaten Russia's security interests. Shortly before that, the Russian Foreign Ministry had warned Japan of tough measures in the event of arms supplies to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Context of Russian-Japanese Relations
Relations between Moscow and Tokyo are also complicated by sanctions policy. On October 6, Zakharova promised a proportionate response to Japan's 27th package of restrictions. In March 2025, Russia banned entry for nine Japanese citizens, including then-Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. On October 1, Vladimir Putin recalled that it was Tokyo that introduced sanctions against Moscow, emphasizing that Russia's approach to relations with Japan has not changed. Life.ru also notes that Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi promised Zelensky to continue supporting Ukraine.
