Japan's Defense Ministry said Monday a Russian military aircraft violated its airspace three times, with an Air Self-Defense Force fighter jet firing a signal flare in response and Tokyo lodging an "extremely stern protest" against Moscow, APA reports citing Reuters.
An IL-38 patrol plane flew over waters in the Sea of Japan north of Rebun Island in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido three times between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., according to the ministry.