"A MiG-31 fighter was scrambled to identify the aerial target and prevent it from violating the Russian state border", the ministry said, adding that the operation strictly followed international guidelines.
The statement by the ministry was issued mere days after another incident in the Sea of Japan, when the US Navy destroyer Chafee (DDG-90) approached Russian territory and attempted to cross the border. However, a large anti-submarine warfare ship, the Admiral Tributs of the Russian Pacific Fleet, managed to chase away the intruder.