MOSCOW, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- The Russian Air Force denies reports one of its strategic bombers Saturday violated Japanese air space several hundred miles south of Tokyo.
In a protest filed with the Russian embassy in Tokyo, Japanese diplomats alleged a Tu-95 Bear flew over the Sofugan pinnacle Saturday morning, prompting 24 Japanese fighter jets to launch in pursuit, RIA Novosti reported.
Russian military officials said they did not violate Japanese air space but did complete a 10-hour patrol flight over the Pacific in Tu-95 bombers.
"The strategic aviation flight was in line with the plan and in strict compliance with international regulations on the use of air space over neutral waters, without violating the borders of other states," said Col. Alexander of the Russian Air Force.
For more than 60 years, Japan and Russia have disputed who owns the Kuril Islands in the Pacific. The dispute has kept Japan and Russia from signing a formal peace treaty over World War II.
