Japan Scrambles Fighter Jets Multiple Times This Week in Response to Russian Aircraft

Increased Russian Air Activity Prompts Japanese Response

Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) scrambled fighter jets on multiple occasions this week, between January 21 and 24, 2026, in response to Russian military aircraft entering Japan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The incidents involved Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers, accompanying fighter jets, and an IL-20 electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft, according to reports from Japan's Joint Staff Office and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.

Details of the Interceptions

The series of events began on January 21, when two Russian Tu-95MS bombers, escorted by fighter jets, flew eastward over the Sea of Japan. This group later altered its course off Honshu's Shimane Prefecture, heading north back towards Russian territory. Subsequently, another pair of Tu-95s, also with fighter escorts, flew northeast past the western side of Hokkaido before turning back. A third bomber group took a southeastern route over the Sea of Japan, reversing course near Honshu's Noto Peninsula.

On January 23, a Russian IL-20 reconnaissance aircraft was tracked flying southwest over the Sea of Japan. This surveillance plane changed course near Kyoto Prefecture before returning northwest. Japanese officials indicated that Russian aircraft entered Japan's ADIZ three times on Wednesday alone, prompting responses from the JASDF's central command.

Official Statements and Context

Japan's Joint Staff Office confirmed these activities, with Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi specifically addressing the IL-20 flight. In response to these events, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) deployed fighter jets to monitor all involved Russian aircraft until they exited Japan's ADIZ.

The Russian Ministry of Defense, for its part, stated that its Tu-95MS strategic bombers conducted a 'scheduled 11-hour flight over the Sea of Japan's international waters' on Wednesday, escorted by Su-35S and Su-30SM fighter aircraft. Russia emphasized that all flights by its Aerospace Forces aircraft are carried out 'in strict compliance with international rules governing the use of airspace.'

Such interceptions are a regular occurrence for Japan. Data from April to December 2025 shows that the JASDF scrambled aircraft 448 times in response to foreign military flights, with approximately 130 (29%) of these scrambles targeting Russian aircraft. While ADIZs are maintained by several countries, including Japan, to identify approaching aircraft, they are not recognized under international law as sovereign airspace.