China and Russia Conduct Joint Military Air Patrol Near Japan and South Korea

The ninth strategic patrol involved nuclear-capable bombers and prompted South Korea to scramble fighter jets as the aircraft entered its air defense zone.

China and Russia carried out their ninth joint strategic air patrol on Friday, flying over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea as part of an annual military cooperation plan.
The patrol involved nuclear-capable bombers, including China's H-6N and Russia's Tu-95MS, marking the first use of China's refuelable H-6N bomber in such an exercise.
South Korea scrambled fighter jets as six Russian and five Chinese military aircraft entered its air defense identification zone, though they did not violate South Korean airspace.
South Korea's defense ministry expressed regret over the incident, requesting measures to prevent future occurrences and warning of heightened regional tensions.
The patrol underscores deepening military ties between China and Russia, who have conducted similar joint exercises since 2019, often near U.S. allies in the region.

South China Morning Post