![Tu-95](https://theaviationist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/tu-95.jpg)
According to a report written by Reuters two Russian bombers briefly entered Japan’s air space near its major southern island of Kyushu on Thursday 22 August.
The two Tu-95 spent no more than 2 minutes in Japanese airspace but in that time Japan had launched two F-2 fighters to intercept the bombers, Japan lodged a protest with the Russian authorities that released a denial.
“Two Tu-95MS strategic bombers conducted routine flights over the neutral waters in the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean,” Â went the statement from the Russian Defence Ministry.
They went on to add “According to control equipment on board, state borders were not violated. The long-haul aircraft were accompanied by Japanese Air Force fighter jets throughout their flight over neutral waters.”
The islands in question are part of a long running dispute over their ownership and a similar incident took place in February 2012.
More recently, Russian bombers were active in northern Europe.
Richard Clements for TheAviationist.com