The Japanese Ministry of Defense said that a Russian patrol aircraft violated Japanese territorial airspace north of Rebun Island in northern Hokkaido three times on September 23.

The aircraft violated Japanese airspace between 30 seconds and a minute at around 1 PM, 3:30 PM and 3:40 PM local time.

This is the first airspace violation by a Russian aircraft in about six years since 2019.

Last year in October, an aircraft that was believed to be a Russian one also violated Japan’s airspace.

Japan’s Self Defense Forces responded with an emergency launch of fighter jets.

It also fired a signal flare of strong light and heat for the first time after the Russian aircraft’s third intrusion, which is a stronger warning than radio warnings.

Chinese and Russian naval vessels have been spotted sailing together on September 22 and 23 near the area where the airspace was violated.

Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru said that the flight might have been related to the joint sailing.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa called the violation of Japan’s airspace “extremely regrettable,” and said that Japan made a stern protest to the Russian government through diplomatic channels.