Japan scrambles jet fighters to intercept Russian warplanes

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 the 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 a Russian AWACS plane was spotted near Japan for the first time.

Russia resumed strategic bomber patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans in August 2007.

The Russian Air Force has repeatedly stated that all patrol flights by Russian military aircraft are performed in strict compliance with international law on the use of airspace over neutral waters, without intruding the airspace of other states.

RIA Novosti