Japanese Fighter Jets Fire Flares to Counter Russian Airspace Violations

A Russian military patrol aircraft violated Japanese airspace near Hokkaido three times, prompting Japan's Self-Defense Force to scramble aircraft and fire warning flares. This marks the first instance of such defensive actions by Japan. The Japanese government has issued a formal protest to Russia, demanding the prevention of future violations.

In an unprecedented defensive action, Japan's Self-Defense Force (SDF) scrambled aircraft and fired warning flares in response to a Russian military patrol aircraft violating Japanese airspace near Hokkaido's Rebun Island on three occasions on Monday.

Government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed this marked the first time SDF aircraft had fired flares in an anti-airspace violation. Defence Minister Minoru Kihara stated that F15 and F35 fighter jets issued radio warnings before deploying flares during the third incursion.

Japan has lodged a formal protest to Russia via diplomatic channels, demanding measures to prevent future violations of its airspace.

(With inputs from agencies.)