South Korea Scrambles Jets as 11 Chinese and Russian Aircraft Breach Air Defense Zone

South Korea’s military deployed fighter jets as 5 Chinese and 6 Russian military aircraft flew into the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) over the East Sea and South Sea, The Moscow Times reported, citing Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on November 29.

The incursion lasted from 9:35 am to 1:53 pm local time.

According to the JCS, the aircraft did not violate South Korean airspace but entered the KADIZ without prior notice. “The military identified the aircraft before they entered KADIZ and deployed Air Force fighter jets to take tactical measures in preparation for any contingencies,” the statement said.

China’s defense ministry described the flights as part of their “ninth joint strategic patrol,” conducted above the Sea of Japan, known in South Korea as the East Sea.

“The flights were held according to the annual cooperation plan between the Chinese and Russian militaries,” it added on its official social media account.

Local media reported that Chinese aircraft approached the Dokdo islets, known as Takeshima in Japan, after passing near the contested Ieodo rock. Russian aircraft followed a similar route, with both nations’ planes flying together over the sea south of Dokdo before exiting the zone.

South Korea’s defense ministry expressed “regret” over the incursion, urging both countries to take “appropriate measures to prevent a recurrence” and warning that such actions could “unnecessarily heighten tensions in the region.”

Since 2019, China and Russia have routinely conducted joint air patrols near South Korea’s airspace, citing military exercises.

Similar incidents were recorded in June and December last year, as well as in May and November 2022.

Earlier, unidentified drones were multiple times spotted over 3 British air bases used by the United States Air Force.