Japanese fighter jets were scrambled as Russian military aircraft, including bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons, flew close to the United States ally’s airspace.
Japan’s Defense Ministry said it will continue to ensure full preparedness to protect the country’s territory and citizens. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the incident, saying its Tu-95MS bombers conducted a routine flight within international airspace.
Why It Matters
Russia has been signaling its military strength in the country’s Far East region through deployments of aircraft and vessels, alarming Japan, which has described the moves as posing a strong security concern, in addition to Moscow’s strategic ties with China.
Japan hosts about 60,000 U.S. troops in return for Washington’s security guarantees. At least four B-1B bombers that are not nuclear-armed were deployed to Japan earlier this month, which the U.S. military said was intended to reinforce stability in the region.
The deployment of Russian bombers comes just days ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Japan on Monday, where he is scheduled to meet the country’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, as both leaders aim to strengthen the alliance.
What To Know
Japan’s Defense Ministry said Russia deployed two bombers and two fighter jets over the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea in South Korea, on Friday. The aircraft were tracked flying off the coast of Hokkaido and Honshu, Japan’s two main islands.
While the Russian military flight remained outside Japan’s airspace, which extends up to about 13.8 miles from the coastline, the fighter jets were seen carrying missiles under their wings, according to photos and a map released by Japan’s Defense Ministry.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the flight near Japan on Friday, saying the Tu-95MS bombers were escorted by Su-35S and Su-30SM fighter jets during their more than 11-hour flight over what it called the “neutral waters” of the Sea of Japan.
Without specifying the countries of origin, the Russian Defense Ministry said foreign fighter jets were scrambled to identify the Russian aircraft on parts of their flight, adding that the flight was in strict compliance with international airspace rules.
According to the Federation of American Scientists, the Tu-95MS bomber can carry nuclear air-launched cruise missiles. During a Russian strategic forces exercise on October 22, the same type of bomber was deployed and launched cruise missiles.
Following the deployment of Tu-95MS bombers, Japanese fighter jets intercepted a second Russian military flight by an Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Sea of Japan on Saturday, flying from north to south off the coasts of Hokkaido and Honshu.
What People Are Saying
Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday: “Russian long-range aviation crews regularly conduct patrols over the neutral waters of the Arctic, the Northern Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea. All flights by aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces are in strict compliance with international rules for using airspace.”
Japan’s defense white paper 2025 commented: “The Russian military is continuing active military activities in the vicinity of Japan and its surrounding areas, showing its tendency to deploy the latest military equipment in the Far East. Russia’s military activities in the Indo-Pacific region, including Japan, coupled with its strategic partnership with China, are posing a strong security concern.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether the Russian military will increase its activities near Japan to test its defenses as the U.S. ally conducts a large-scale war game across the country.
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