Russian Il-38 violated Japanese airspace three times in one day

The Ministry of Defence of Japan has reported that an Il-38 anti-submarine aircraft of the Russian Navy violated the country's airspace three times.

Here's What We Know

As stated, the aircraft violated Japanese airspace north of Rebun Island, Hokkaido Prefecture. The first crossing took place at around 13:03-13:04, the second at 15:31, and the third at 15:42-15:43.

The Japanese Air Self-Defence Forces immediately scrambled fighters from the Northern Air District of the Air Self-Defence Forces and sent a warning to the Russians.

Earlier this year, a Chinese Y-9Z electronic reconnaissance aircraft flew into the country's airspace near the Danjo Islands, Nagasaki Prefecture. The aircraft stayed in Japan for two minutes, after which it departed and continued to conduct reconnaissance activities in Japan's exclusive economic zone.

Recently, Russian aircraft have been violating the airspace of neighbouring countries more frequently. For example, just a few days ago, six of their aircraft flew into Latvia with their transponders switched off.

Source: Ministry of Defence of Japan