Russian patrol aircraft trespassed Japanese airspace three times... Responded with warning shots

A Russian patrol aircraft violated Japanese airspace three times, prompting the Japanese government to carry out warning shots.

Russian military patrol aircraft IL-38

According to Japan's public broadcaster NHK on the 23rd, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced that between 1 and 3 p.m. that day, a Russian patrol aircraft IL-38 intruded into Japanese airspace near Rebun Island in the Sea of Japan west of Hokkaido three times.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi stated that Japan lodged a very stern protest with Russia through diplomatic channels and demanded measures to prevent recurrence.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense responded to the airspace violations by scrambling fighter jets.

According to the Ministry of Defense, Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets fired flares, which disrupt infrared-guided missiles, as warning shots.

This was the first time flares were fired as a warning in response to an airspace violation.

Earlier, on the 12th, the Japanese Ministry of Defense reported that two Russian Tu-142 patrol aircraft flew around the Japanese archipelago.

Additionally, on the 26th of last month, a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance aircraft violated airspace over the sea near the Danjo Islands off Nagasaki Prefecture in southwestern Japan. When Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets scrambled urgently, the Chinese aircraft turned back toward mainland China. This was the first time a Chinese military aircraft violated Japanese airspace.