The Chinese are invading Russia, not with tanks but with suitcases, according to Alexander Shaikin, head of the border control at the Federal Border Guard Service. He stated June 29 that over the past 18 months 1.5 million Chinese have illegally entered Russia's Far East, as reported by The Moscow Times. While Shaikin's claim is likely exaggerated, increased Chinese migration marks a return of Chinese influence to historically Chinese territories. Unlike Sino-Russian disagreements over Ukraine or India, a territorial dispute over the Russian Far East holds the potential to formally rupture relations between the two continental powers. Yury Akhipov, head of the Russian immigration directorate, disputes Shaikin's claims. He counters by stating that many Chinese are only temporarily in Russia on business, and that many “shuttle traders” are counted each time they cross the border.