In a new episode that once again highlights Russia’s growing military activity in Japan’s vicinity, the Self-Defense Forces have deployed fighter jets and maritime patrol aircraft in recent days to monitor both intelligence flights and the navigation of specialized Russian Navy vessels in the northwestern Pacific and adjacent seas.
According to information released by the Joint Staff of Japan’s Ministry of Defense, on Monday, January 26, a Russian Ilyushin Il-20 electronic intelligence aircraft was detected. The aircraft flew from the Asian continent, crossed the Sea of Okhotsk, and continued its route toward the Pacific Ocean. In response, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force ordered the immediate scramble of fighters assigned to the Northern Air Command to identify and escort the aircraft.
At this point, it is important to note that this was not an isolated incident. Just three days earlier, on Friday, January 23, another Russian Il-20 had been detected conducting what appeared to be an intelligence flight over the Sea of Japan, prompting a similar response by Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighters. The repetition of these missions within a short period reinforces Tokyo’s perception of a sustained increase in Russian reconnaissance activity in areas sensitive to its security.
In parallel to these aerial episodes, Japan also confirmed the prolonged presence of a Russian signals intelligence (SIGINT) ship of the Vishnya class operating in waters near its archipelago between January 20 and 26. According to official details, the vessel was initially observed patrolling areas east and southeast of Okinawa, including adjacent zones, before shifting toward the southeast of the main island and the northeast of Kumejima. Finally, between January 25 and 26, the ship transited the Tsushima Strait en route to the Sea of Japan.
Throughout this period, surveillance and tracking were carried out by multiple assets of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, including the destroyer JS Ikazuchi, the replenishment ship Mashu, the minesweeper Takashima, and P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, which conducted continuous observation and intelligence tasks.
This combination of reconnaissance flights and the presence of intelligence ships near Japanese territory fits into a pattern Tokyo has been closely monitoring for years—one that has intensified amid current tensions in the Indo-Pacific. For Japan, these deployments underscore the importance of maintaining constant vigilance over its maritime and aerial environment.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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