According to the ministry, a total of five Russian planes, including two Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers, two Su-24 Fencer reconnaissance planes and an A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning and control aircraft skirted Japanese territory on Wednesday.
“They flew over the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan off Hokkaido and the Tohoku region in northeastern Japan,” Japanese officials said, adding that it was the first time a Russian AWACS plane was spotted near Japan.
Russia resumed strategic bomber patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans in August 2007.
Full article: Japan Scrambles Fighters to Meet Russian Bombers (RIA Novosti)
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