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Russian training mission prompted Japan, S Korea to scramble jets
Feb 9, 2012, 12:25 GMT
Moscow - Japan and South Korea scrambled fighter jets to meet Russian bombers taking part in a two-day training and reconnaissance mission over the Pacific Ocean, a spokesman for the Russian air force said on Thursday.
Thirteen Japanese and South Korean F-15 and F-16 fighters made contact with the Tu-95MC bombers and other Russian combat aircraft taking part in the manoeuvres on Tuesday and Wednesday, Vladimir Drik said, according to a report by the Interfax news agency.
The Russian aircraft approached but did not enter Japanese or South Korean airspace, he said.
Russia has in recent years has intensified patrols by Tu-95MC aircraft launched from East Siberia, with flights sometimes passing close to Japanese airspace.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has called for a strengthening of military forces deployed in East Siberia, with an emphasis on the fielding of modern equipment and the construction of new bases.
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