Russia is planning to deploy short and long-range air defence missile systems to the southern Kuril Islands to protect its sovereignty in the Far East, general staff of the armed forces officials have said.

The S-400 Triumf missile defence systems could be deployed to the islands to protect them from possible attacks, the official added.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said military support deployed with modern weaponry was needed for the security of the islands.

The four islands located in the Kuril chain between Japan and Russia were seized by the Soviet Union during World War II but are still claimed by Japan.

The dispute over the islands has prevented the countries from signing a formal peace treaty, according to RIA Novosti.