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Japan orders interceptors up in air as Russian bombers fly around

The Japanese Self-Defence Forces said the Russian planes had not invaded the country’s airspace

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

TOKYO, July 15 (Itar-Tass) - Japan’s jet fighters were ordered up in the air on Monday, July 15, as three Russian Air Force planes flew around its airspace.

The Japanese Self-Defence Forces said the Russian planes had not invaded the country’s airspace.

According to the defence ministry, two Tu-95 bombers flew over the East Sea from the direction of the Korean Peninsula, proceeded along the Japanese archipelago and then flew away north of Hokkaido. The other plane, Il-20, flew over the Kuril Islands, prompting Japan to order its interceptor planes up in the air.

The last such incident occurred in April 2013 when two Russian Tu-142 antisubmarine planes flew around Japan off the southwestern coast of Kyushu and the northern Island of Hokkaido. Japanese jet fighters also went airborne back then.

Earlier, Japan’s Joint Staff said that seven Russian warships tavelled along the La Peruza Strait from the East Sea to the Sea of Okhotosk last night. The group was said to include frigates and landing ships. On July 13, the Japanese military also reported that a group of 16 Russian ships, including a missile cruiser, were moving in the Sea of Okhotsk. They are believed to be taking part in large-scale manoeuvres now underway in that area.

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