Japan: Russian Air Force Bomber Infringed Airspace
Japan has claimed that a Russian Air Force aircraft infringed Japanese airspace, and has insisted the incident be explained. The aircraft – a Cold War-era Tupolev Tu-95 Bear strategic bomber – spent about three minutes flying over the isle of Sofugan, according to officials.
22 Japanese Warplanes Launched
The Japanese Air Self Defence Force launched no less than 22 combat jets in response to the claimed violation. On a political level, a formal protest has been lodged with the Russian embassy.
Russia: Bomber did not Violate Japanese Airspace
A Russian Air Force spokesman, however, insisted that the incident had not taken place. Speaking to the Russian media, Alexander Drobyshevsky highlighted how strategic bomber patrols had been "carried out in strict accordance with international rules on flying over neutral waters, without violating the border between the two countries.”
The last incident in which a Russian military aircraft infringed the airspace above Japan occurred over two years ago.
Japan/ Russia Never Formally Ended World War Two
On the 7th February, Japan conducted a yearly rally demanding that four islands – known as the ‘Northern Territories’ to Japan, and the ‘Kurils’ to Russia – be returned by Russia, which took possession of them at the end of the Second World War.
The ongoing altercation has meant neither country has ever officially signed an agreement to end WW2.
It is unknown whether today’s incident was connected to the rally.
70+ Russian Patrol Flights Since August ‘07
At the end of 2007, a Russian Air Force official said that more than 70 patrol flights had been undertaken since August 17th, when President Putin announced their resumption.
Overall, he added, Russian strategic bombers had spent over 40 hours aloft.
Source – Armed Forces International’s Aviation Expert
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