Japan says Russian patrol aircraft violated its airspace, responds by firing flares

A Russian military patrol aircraft violated Japanese airspace near Hokkaido’s Rebun Island on three separate occasions on Monday, prompting Japan’s Self-Defense Force to dispatch aircraft in an emergency response and to fire flares.

RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT DETECTED, MONITORED FLYING THROUGH AIR ZONE CLOSE TO U.S.: NORAD

It is the first time Japan’s SDF aircraft has fired flares in “an anti-airspace violation action”, government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi speaks about a Russian military patrol aircraft that violated Japanese airspace, in Tokyo, Japan September 23, 2024, in this photo taken by Kyodo.  (Kyodo/via REUTERS)

The SDF fighter jets – F15 and F35 – warned the Russian military over the radio before firing the flares during the third incursion, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told reporters.

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The Japanese government has protested to Russia via diplomatic channels and demanded that it prevent any recurrence of such violations.