TOKYO (Sputnik) – Earlier in the day, the Japanese Defence Ministry claimed as quoted by the NHK broadcaster that a Russian bomber had illegally entered the national airspace of Japan twice on Thursday.
The Russian Defence Ministry said Thursday that a Russian Tu-95MS tagged Japanese fighters at certain stages of Russia’s planned flight over the Pacific Ocean. The ministry added that there were no border violations during the flight.
The NHK broadcaster reported Thursday that fighters of the Japan Self-Defence Forces took off to shadow the Russian plane, which had allegedly entered Japan’s airspace.
The incidents occurred near Okinawa and the island of Hachijo-jima in the southern part of Japan, the Kyodo news agency reported.
Russian strategic and long-range aircraft regularly carry out flights over the Arctic region, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and the Black Sea. The Russian Defenсe Ministry has repeatedly said that all flights of Russian military aircraft are carried out in full accordance with international law, and the rules for the use of airspace over neutral waters.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
