Russia and China step up spy flights near Japan

Japan scrambled fighters on four consecutive days from October 20 to 23 after detecting five Chinese and Russian military intelligence flights near its air approaches, according to Japan’s Joint Staff. Three Chinese Y-9 aircraft operated around the Okinawa–Miyako passage and nearby waters, while two Russian Il-20 signals-intelligence aircraft flew over the Sea of Japan toward Shimane Prefecture. Japanese authorities reported no violation of national airspace during the activity. The flights coincided with the U.S.–Japan Keen Sword exercise, but the Joint Staff did not establish a coordinated Chinese-Russian mission or a direct connection with the drills.