- By Steph. G. Halston.
- (General Dispatch) – Japan’s air force F-15s found it necessary to escort two nuclear-capable Tu-95MS bombers of the Russian government after flying over the Sea of Japan.
- “Two Tu-95MS strategic bombers of the long-range aviation conducted a routine flight over the neutral waters of the Sea of Japan and the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean the duration of the flight exceeded nine hours. At the stages of the flight, the Russian strategic bombers were escorted by F-15 fighters of the Japanese air force,” the Russian Defense Ministry said.
- The Russian Tu-95MS bomber is a 4-engine powered aircraft, made its appearance in 1952 and was inducted into the Russian Air Force in 1956; it is ranked as the fastest turboprop-powered aircraft in the world.
- The territorial conflict between Japan and Russia over 4 southern islands belonging to the archipelago began in 1855 with the Shimoda agreement where the border between the Iturup and Urup islands was established.
- Russia has taken a defensive position on the islands, warning that the boundary lines imposed by Japan will be ignored, and will be governed by the decisions issued by Russia.
- The islands have tried to negotiate through agreements where Russia intends to keep 2 of the 4 islands, but Japan disagrees and has tried to take the issue to the international court claiming the right to 4 of the southernmost Kuril Islands.
- At this point the future of the Kuril Islands is still under discussion, the USA supports Japan on the territorial right of the Kuril Islands.
Adittional Information:
Breitbart: Japan Intercepts Two Nuclear-Capable Russian Bombers over Sea of Japan
Reuters: Japan scrambles jets to intercept nuclear-capable Russian bombers – Interfax
