Russia Refuels Kinzhal-Armed MiG-31K Jets Mid-Air During Flights Near Japan

Russian MiG-31K aircraft equipped with Kinzhal missiles carried out patrol flights over the Sea of Japan, including aerial refueling operations, according to Russian state media.

According to TASS on March 17, citing Russia’s Ministry of Defense, crews of the country’s Aerospace Forces conducted the mission as part of routine patrol activities in the region.

During the operation, the aircraft practiced in-flight refueling, extending their operational range. The MiG-31K platform is configured to carry the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, an air-launched ballistic missile that Russia classifies as a hypersonic weapon.

According to TASS, the flights took place over international waters in the Sea of Japan. The report also stated that additional fighter aircraft accompanied the mission, flying eastward before changing course near Japan’s Shimane Prefecture and returning toward mainland Russia.

Russian long-range and strike aviation has repeatedly conducted similar patrols near Japan and NATO member states, often described by Moscow as training or deterrence missions.

Earlier, in January, Russian strategic aircraft carried out comparable flights in the same region, also near Japan’s airspace, as part of ongoing military activity in the Asia-Pacific.

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In a separate development, Polish MiG-29 fighter jets intercepted and escorted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft flying with its transponder switched off over the Baltic Sea, according to Army Recognition on March 13.

The aircraft remained in international airspace but was identified as part of ongoing Russian intelligence-gathering activity targeting NATO systems and response times.

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