Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova told Russian media on the 14th that Japan using news reporting as a cover for intelligence activity is unacceptable and that the detention of a Japanese journalist accused of spying is a first public disclosure rather than a first occurrence. The FSB said on the 13th it detained a Hokkaido Shimbun reporter in Yuzhno‑Sakhalinsk, Sakhalin Oblast, on suspicion of espionage. Japanese media reported on the 14th that the Japanese government has protested

Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova told Russian media on the 14th that Japan using news reporting as a cover for intelligence activity is unacceptable and that the detention of a Japanese journalist accused of spying is a first public disclosure rather than a first occurrence. The FSB said on the 13th it detained a Hokkaido Shimbun reporter in Yuzhno‑Sakhalinsk, Sakhalin Oblast, on suspicion of espionage. Japanese media reported on the 14th that the Japanese government has protested and will summon the Russian ambassador.