Russia announces "proportionate countermeasures" against Japan's sanctions

Russia on Monday announced that it will take "proportionate countermeasures" against Japan's latest unfriendly moves.

On Oct. 2, Tokyo announced its 27th package of measures against Russia, affecting 33 Russian legal entities and nine individuals, as well as a number of companies abroad.

The sanctions also targeted 35 vessels linked to so called Russian "shadow fleet," a network used to transport crude oil outside Western sanctions. According to the announcement, Japanese government banned the provision of such services as repairs, insurance, and financing to the vessels.

Earlier on Monday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called Japan's sanctions package "illegitimate".

The Japanese government continues to take reckless steps that provoke further degradation of what little remains of that state's relations with Russia, she said in a statement.

The measures have demonstrated its disregard for international law and bilateral agreements, degraded bilateral relations, and made no contributions to the political settlement to Ukraine Crisis, she said.

Tokyo's unfriendly moves will not go unanswered. Russia will take proportionate countermeasures, focusing primarily on areas of interest to Japan, she said.

Russia announces "proportionate countermeasures" against Japan's sanctions

Infrared cameras have captured rare footage of a leopard cat and a hog badger appearing in the same frame in Baotianman National Nature Reserve in central China's Henan Province, highlighting a healthy ecosystem and improved habitat conditions.

The footage, filmed in recent days, showed the two wild animals moving through the dense forest without disturbing each other.

Additional footage also showed a Chinese goral -- a species highly sensitive to habitat quality -- spotted at the very same location, while Reeves's muntjacs and wild boars were also recorded roaming the area.

These sightings reflect a thriving forest ecosystem in the area. Thanks to long-term habitat protection and ecological restoration, wildlife living conditions within the reserve have continually improved.

Located in Neixiang County, Nanyang City, Henan Province, Baotianman National Nature Reserve is home to 359 species of wild vertebrates from 83 families and 32 orders.

It also provides habitat for nationally protected and other rare species, underscoring the need for continued conservation efforts.

Rare footage captures leopard cat, hog badger together in Henan reserve