Chinese, Russian military planes briefly enter South Korean air defense zone

Ten Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered South Korea's Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) on Thursday morning before departing, the Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed. The aircraft sequentially entered the KADIZ over the East and South Seas but did not breach South Korean sovereign airspace. South Korean military officials stated they had identified and tracked the aircraft from before their entry into the KADIZ. Fighter jets were deployed to prepare for any potential contingencies. The Chinese aircraft reportedly departed from China and flew eastward, while Russian aircraft flew southward from the north. They met over international waters to conduct joint maneuvers before returning. These flights are believed to be part of ongoing joint aerial exercises between China and Russia. An Air Defense Identification Zone is an area where countries can arbitrarily establish zones to identify and respond to military aircraft approaching their sovereign airspace, distinct from sovereign airspace itself.

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Ten Chinese and Russian military aircraft sequentially entered the East and South Sea's KADIZ and then departed.