A Russian military patrol aircraft violated Japanese airspace near Hokkaido’s Rebun Island three times on Monday. Japan’s Self-Defense Force responded by dispatching fighter jets and firing flares, a first in response to an airspace violation. The SDF aircraft, including F15 and F35 jets, warned the Russian military over the radio before taking action. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara confirmed that the flares were fired during the third incursion. The Japanese government has lodged a protest with Russia through diplomatic channels and demanded that such violations not happen again.
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Russian Patrol Aircraft Accused of Violating Japan’s Airspace
