Russian strategic bombers fly over sea of Japan as Japanese PM begins Ukraine visit

A Russian strategic bomber takes off in an unknown location to perform a flight over the neutral waters of the Sea of Japan in this still image taken from a March 21 video released by a Russian Tu 95 MS - Strategic Bomber. Russian Defense Ministry via Reuters Two Russian strategic bomber planes flew over the Sea of Japan for more than seven hours, the Russian defense ministry said on Tuesday, as Japan's prime minister was beginning a visit to Ukraine.

Tupolev's MS planes are capable of carrying nuclear weapons and Moscow regularly flies them over international waters in the Arctic, North Atlantic and Pacific as a show of strength.

The timing of the latest flight appeared to be more pointed than usual, as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was due to arrive in Kyiv later on a visit to show solidarity with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the war against Russia.

Kishida was seen board a train at the Polish town of Przemysl near the Ukraine border.

Russia said the strategic bombers made a planned flight, escorted by fighter planes. The defense ministry said it was carried out in strict compliance with international law and made over neutral waters.

In February, North American air defense forces were sent to intercept several Russian strategic bombers and fighter jets as they flew over international airspace near Alaska.

Japan, which has its own territorial dispute with Moscow over islands in the north Pacific dating back to the end of World War II, is a key Asian ally of the United States and has joined Western sanctions against Russia.

Kishida's trip to Ukraine coincides with the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Moscow.