Russian helicopter violates Japan's airspace. Tokyo protests
1:41 PM EDT, October 31, 2023, updated: 9:20 AM EST, January 17, 2024
A Russian helicopter is suspected of violating Japan's airspace off the coast of Hokkaido. The Japanese Ministry of Defense responded to this perceived infringement by issuing a protest.
In an official statement, the Japanese Ministry of Defense briefed about a potential violation of its airspace by a Russian helicopter.
Based on the information from the ministry, the incident took place on Tuesday, "around 12.44pm (11.44pm Eastern Time in US)". It was reported that the helicopter most likely transgressed into Japan's airspace off Nemuro Peninsula, a part of eastern Hokkaido. Quickly reacting to this event, Japanese air forces dispatched fighters.
The Japanese broadcaster NHK offered more details regarding the incident. According to their report, the helicopter was present in Japanese airspace only briefly. An analysis of the flight path led to the assumption that it was a Russian helicopter.
Russia allegedly violates Japan's airspace for the 43rd time
An intrusion into Japan's airspace by a presumed Russian entity is not unprecedented.
Since March 2022, when Japan started to enforce sanctions on Moscow due to its invasion of Ukraine, there have already been 43 such reported cases.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense is taking measures to investigate the possible objective of the foreign helicopter's flight. These analyses aim to decipher why the Russian helicopter may have violated the country's airspace.
