Overview
- Japan and the United States conducted a joint air exercise over the Sea of Japan with two B-52s and six Japanese fighters, signaling readiness after the China–Russia operation.
- Russia said two Tu-95 bombers linked up with two Chinese H-6s for an approximately eight-hour patrol that transited the Tsushima and Miyako straits, with Chinese J-16s and Russian Su-30s and an A-50 observed at stages.
- South Korea reported seven Russian and two Chinese aircraft entered and exited its air defense identification zone, prompting a scramble, with no violation of territorial airspace.
- Tokyo and Seoul lodged protests; Japan’s defense minister called the flights a show of force and later conferred with NATO chief Mark Rutte, who shared “grave concerns,” while Beijing and Moscow described the patrol as routine.
- The patrol followed Japan’s allegation that Chinese carrier-based jets locked fire-control radar on Japanese aircraft near Okinawa, a claim China denies, drawing U.S. criticism of Beijing’s actions.