Russian hypersonic jets buzz Japan’s coast in ‘thinly veiled threat’

2026.03.19 00:20 Footage of a Russian fighter jet carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles conducting exercises over the Sea of Japan, or East Sea. Photo: Handout Russia’s defence ministry has released footage of its fighter jets carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles conducting exercises over the Sea of Japan, or East Sea, with the move interpreted as a message to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of her talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington. The video shows a MiG-31 with a Kinzhal missile slung beneath its fuselage, with the ministry saying the aircraft was one of several that carried out manoeuvres off Japan’s northern coast. Additional footage shows an aircraft carrying out mid-air refuelling. The ministry said the flights were carried out according to international law, which was understood to mean that none of the aircraft entered Japanese airspace. Analysts note that it is unusual for Moscow to highlight its forces’ activities. Tokyo will also not have missed that the Kinzhal can fly at 10 times the speed of sound, has a range exceeding 2,000km and can carry conventional or nuclear warheads. “We have to put this in the context of Russia being frustrated with Japan for supporting the international sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine and, in addition to that, what Moscow sees as Japan building up its military again and getting more and more powerful capabilities,” said James Brown, a professor of international relations specialising in Russian affairs at the Tokyo campus of Temple University. A launch vehicle for the long-range Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Guided Missile is unveiled at the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force’s Kengun Garrison in Kumamoto City on Tuesday. Photo: Jiji Press / AFP According to Brown, Moscow has said it wants to prevent Japan from returning to the military expansionist policies of the 1930s, and remains fiercely opposed to Tokyo revoking the three non-nuclear principles that have guided its defence policy since

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