The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) and the People’s Liberation Army Air Forces (PLAAF) of China conducted another joint air patrol in the Asia-Pacific region. The Russian Ministry of Defense press service reported this on the Max messenger app .
“An air group consisting of Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers and Chinese Hong-6K strategic bombers conducted air patrols over the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the western Pacific Ocean,” the department clarified.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the duration of the joint flight of the aircraft was approximately six hours.
During the patrol, the Russian Aerospace Forces’ Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters, and the Chinese Air Force’s Jian-16 aircraft, provided fighter air cover. At certain stages of the route, the strategic bombers were escorted by fighters from other countries.
The press service emphasized that Russian and Chinese aircraft operated in accordance with international law and did not violate foreign airspace.
Earlier, the Yonhap news agency reported that Russian and Chinese military aircraft entered South Korea’s air defense identification zone .
The Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Republic of Korea reported that a total of approximately 10 aircraft were in the identification zone. Korean airspace was not violated. The country’s Defense Ministry stated that fighter jets were scrambled after the aircraft were detected.