Japan's defense forces were swiftly mobilized today, October 24, 2025, deploying fighter jets to closely monitor Russian warplanes. Among these were strategic bombers reportedly capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which were observed flying along the very edge of Japanese airspace.
Russia's Defense Ministry, through its state-owned news agency, acknowledged that its Tu-95 bombers were indeed on a routine patrol over international waters and were accompanied by jets from another nation.
This incident occurred just hours before Japan's newly appointed Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, delivered her inaugural parliamentary address. In her speech, Ms. Takaichi committed to accelerating Japan's defense buildup, citing Russia's military activities, alongside those of China and North Korea, as a "serious concern."
The Japanese Ministry of Defense released a visual representation detailing the flight path of the Russian aircraft. It showed the two Tu-95 bombers, escorted by two Su-35 fighters, initially heading towards Japan's Sado Island before altering course northward over the Sea of Japan.
"Russia engages in daily military operations near our country while simultaneously invading Ukraine – this is the stark reality we face," Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated in a social media post.
A related report explored the political impact of Sanae Takaichi's leadership in Japanese politics, highlighting her firm stance on national security.
Prime Minister Takaichi further emphasized Japan's "special global partnership" with Ukraine, expressing admiration for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people's unwavering courage in confronting ongoing aggression.
This event follows a series of recent accusations from European nations concerning repeated Russian incursions into their airspace with drones and jets. Most notably, a day prior, NATO-member Lithuania reported Russian fighters briefly entering its airspace, an accusation Moscow swiftly denied, maintaining that its planes were conducting exercises in nearby areas.