Japanese Warplanes Join Russian Bombers in Routine Flights over Neutral Waters

A pair of Russian Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers performing routine flights over the Sea of Japan was joined by Japanese warplanes.

“Two strategic missile carriers Tu-95MS of the Russian Aerospace forces performed a planned flight over the neutral waters of the Japan Sea and the North-Western part of the Pacific ocean. At some stages of the route, Russian aircraft were accompanied by Japanese air force fighters,” Russian defense ministry said in a statement Wednesday.

The total flight time exceeded eight hours. Long-range aviation pilots regularly fly over neutral waters of the Arctic, North Atlantic, Black and Baltic seas, and the Pacific ocean.

All flights of the Russian Aerospace Forces are carried out in strict accordance with the International Airspace Management System without violating the borders of other states, the ministry said.

The ministry did not reveal what type of Japanese warplanes accompanied Russian aircraft.