Russia provokes Japan with nuclear bombers
Illustrative photo: Japanese fighter jets scrambled to intercept Russian Tu-95 bombers (Getty Images)
Today, October 24, Japan scrambled fighter jets in response to Russian strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons flying along its border, Reuters reports.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that its Tu-95 bombers were accompanied by fighter jets during a routine patrol over neutral waters.
The incident occurred a few hours before Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi promised in her first speech to parliament to accelerate the build-up of defense capabilities. She said that the military actions of Russia, as well as China and North Korea, were causing serious concern.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense reported that 2 Tu-95 bombers were accompanied by 2 Su-35 fighters. They initially flew towards the Japanese island of Sado and then turned north.
"Russia conducts daily military operations around our country while invading Ukraine - this is the reality," said Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.
Takai expressed admiration for Japan's "special global partnership" with Ukraine. She also praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people for their courage to "stand up against the aggression day by day".
Russian provocations
On Thursday, October 23, Russian military aircraft violated Lithuanian airspace. A Su-30 aircraft and an Il-78 refueling aircraft flew approximately 700 meters, staying in the area for about 18 seconds.
Earlier, Russian MiG-31K fighters violated Estonian airspace, staying there for about 12 minutes and attempting to break through to the capital.
In addition, 2 more Russian aircraft appeared over the Petrobaltic oil and gas platform in the Baltic Sea.
