Russians violated Japanese airspace. Fighters fired flares
“Extremely regrettable” – this is how Japan described the incident involving a Russian long-range reconnaissance aircraft. The incident occurred on Monday near the Japanese island of Rebun.
During the incident, a Russian Il-38 warplane violated Japanese airspace three times in the area of northern Hokkaido prefecture. Japan responded by sending its fighters (F-15 and F-35). Their pilots radioed the Russian crew to fire warning flares during the third incursion into Japanese airspace, and eventually did so. As observers note, this was an unprecedented action in such situations, used only as a last resort.
Japanese government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said the incidents occurred between 1:03 p.m. and 3:42 p.m. local time.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara confirmed that this was the first such action by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in response to an airspace violation. There have been no such incidents before.
Shortly after the incident, Japan sent a diplomatic note to the Russian authorities, strongly criticizing the event. Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized that the incident was “extremely regrettable” and a serious violation of Japan’s sovereignty. Tokyo demands an immediate cessation of similar actions and prevention of their repetition in the future.
A government spokesman declined to comment on Russia’s intentions, but noted that Moscow’s military activity in the region has not abated, despite the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Japan, like many other countries, is monitoring increased Russian military activity in neighboring regions, leading to growing diplomatic tensions.
Tokyo said the incident came a month after a Chinese spy plane flew into Japanese airspace. Japanese authorities suspect the latest incident may be related to joint military exercises between China and Russia, which are currently underway.
