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Japan scrambles fighters after Russian jets approach island

By CNN Staff

February 7, 2013 -- Updated 1506 GMT (2306 HKT)

 

[File photo] Russian Su-27 fighter jets at the Obuz-Lesnovsky firing range near Baranovichi, September 29, 2009.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Japan says it intercepted Russian jets over its airspace
• The incident happened near territory disputed by Japan and Russia
• Russia denies its jets entered Japanese airspace, newspaper reports

(CNN) -- Japan's military scrambled fighters Thursday after two Russian SU-27 jets entered Japanese airspace off Rishiri Island near the tip of Japan's northernmost Hokkaido Island, according to the country's Defense Ministry.

The Russian jets left Japanese airspace without incident after a little more than a minute, the ministry said.

The incident occurred near territory disputed by Japan and Russia since the end of World War II.

Japanese officials lodged an official protest with Russia over the incident, Japan's Kyodo news service reported