Russia

Russia Sends MiG-31s Armed with Kinzhal Hypersonic Missiles Over Sea of Japan

Published on: March 19, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Parth Satam Parth Satam
MiG-31 Kinzhal Indo-Pacific
Screengrab of the Russian MoD video showing one of the MiG-31Is with the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile under its belly taking off for the flight over the Sea of Japan. (Image credit: Russian MoD)

Russian Aerospace Forces publicized for the first time the MiG-31 armed with the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic hypersonic missile flying in the Indo-Pacific region.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense (RuMoD) released footage on Mar. 17, 2026, of its MiG-31I jets carrying the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles (ALBM) while flying over the Sea of Japan. Russian and Chinese jets have been flying joint patrols over the region for a few years now, with the last such combined flight reported by Japan and South Korea on Dec. 9, 2025.

These have usually consisted of Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers, A-50 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, Su-30 fighter jets, together with Chinese J-16 fighter jets and H-6K/N bombers. MiG-31Is with the Kinzhal, however, are absolutely rare.

Russian military aviation analyst Guy Plopsky, who also shared images from the RuMoD video, told us this is at least the first time the ministry has released the video of the MiG-31I and the Kinzhal over this particular region.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense’s Joint Staff, meanwhile, did not release any information about possible interceptions targeting this particular formation. In fact, while multiple intercepts were disclosed, no additional details were provided.

The Il-78 tanker refueling the two MiG-31s. (Image credit: Russian MoD)

However, between Mar. 15 and Mar. 18, the Mod has been tracking a Russian Navy Udaloy-III class destroyer. The ship first proceeded northeast through the waters between Yonaguni Island and Iriomote Island, heading toward the East China Sea, and then transited through the Tsushima Strait toward the Sea of Japan.

Russian MoD video and statement

The video shows two MiG-31Ks armed with the Kinzhals, part of a formation with a total of five Russian aircraft visible. The formation also included an Il-78M tanker, which refueled the MiG-31Is, and two Su-30 fighters, with part of the footage showing one of the Su-30s from the seat of the other’s Weapons Systems Operator (WSO).

Screengrab of footage from inside a Su-30, showing another Su-30 ahead. (Image credit: Russian MoD)

Screengrabs from the RuMoD video also show footage of the aerial refueling from both the cockpit of one of the MiG-31s and from the Il-78M. The MiG-31s are also shown flying overhead, possibly over their home base, with the Kinzhals carried on their centerlines.

The statement from the RuMoD accompanying the video stated:

“The MiG-31 aircraft, equipped with Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missiles, made a scheduled flight in the airspace over the neutral waters of the Sea of Japan. During the flight, MiG-31 aircraft crews practised refuelling in the air. All flights of Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft are carried out in strict compliance with international rules on the use of airspace.”

“Given that the MiG-31s were operating from Vladivostok, it is perhaps more likely that the Su-30s were from the 22nd IAP(Tsentralnaya Uglovaya) as it is near Vladivostok,” Plopsky told The Aviationist. Four MiG-31s were captured at Vladivostok airport on Mar. 17 and Mar. 19,  along with an A-50U Mainstay AEW&C aircraft, by ‘AviVector’, who also observed three of the MiGs armed with Kinzhals. 

The two MiG-31s flying overhead, each armed with a Kh-47M2 Kinzhal on the centerline station. (Image credit: Russian MoD)

Plopsky however pointed out on X that the Kinzhals on the MiG-31s could also be inert variants used for training, and not live missiles. This therefore brings us to the diplomatic motivations behind such a flight.

Diplomatic overview

There could be two geopolitical explanations behind such a provocative flight with major strategic weapons over the Sea of Japan. One, it could be rooted in persistently tense relations between the U.S.-Japan-South Korea alliance in the western and northern Pacific regions and China, Russia and North Korea.

Screengrab of a video from the Chinese Ministry of National Defense of the Dec. 9, 2025, flight over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea, showing a PLAAF H-6K, two J-16s, and a Russian Tu-95 Bear bomber. (Image credit: Telegram)

Ties have been further strained since Japan’s new head of government, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, has enhanced relations with the U.S. As explained before, joint Russian and Chinese overflights with frontline fighter and bomber aircraft have taken place before, when west Asia had notyet seen direct U.S.-Iran clashes.

Secondly, it could be remotely connected to the events in west Asia, with Russia conveying it can draw U.S. resources to relieve the pressure on ally Iran. However, as we explained in context of the delivery of Mi-28 Havoc attack helicopters to Tehran, this largely amounts to mere geopolitical posturing and does virtually nothing to impact U.S. operations over Iran. By far, it signals to reinforce Russo-Iranian ties and as an expression of solidarity against the U.S.

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By Parth Satam
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Parth Satam's career spans a decade and a half between two dailies and two defense publications. He believes war, as a human activity, has causes and results that go far beyond which missile and jet flies the fastest. He therefore loves analyzing military affairs at their intersection with foreign policy, economics, technology, society and history. The body of his work spans the entire breadth from defense aerospace, tactics, military doctrine and theory, personnel issues, West Asian, Eurasian affairs, the energy sector and Space.
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