Russia has re-recognized 14 Japanese nationals as war criminals, as part of ongoing efforts to expose Japanese militarist crimes, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Russian authorities revoked decisions that had overturned the convictions of these individuals in the 1990s.

The individuals were involved in sabotage and espionage against the Soviet Union during World War II and after Japan's surrender in 1945. A review confirmed that they did not meet the criteria for exoneration, according to Zakharova.

She cited cases including the torture of so-called Soviet intelligence associates and involvement in plans to deploy biological weapons in the Soviet Union and other countries.

Russia is continuing its years-long work documenting Japanese militarism, Zakharova said, adding that new information demonstrates the tragedies Japanese militarist actions brought to Russia and other Asian nations.