South Korea Scrambles Jets as Russian Aircraft Enter Defense Zone

South Korea's military scrambled fighter jets in response to several Russian military aircraft entering its Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) over the country's eastern waters. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed that the Russian aircraft entered the KADIZ near the easternmost islets of Dokdo and Ulleung Island on Tuesday afternoon before eventually withdrawing.

"The South Korean military detected the Russian military aircraft before they entered the air defense zone and deployed Air Force fighter jets to prepare for any possible contingencies," the JCS stated. The military emphasized that the Russian planes did not breach South Korean territorial airspace. The KADIZ, distinct from sovereign airspace, requires foreign aircraft to identify themselves to prevent accidental collisions.

This latest incursion is reminiscent of an incident in late June when nearly 10 Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered and exited the KADIZ over waters east and south of South Korea. At that time, the South Korean Ministry of Defense lodged a strong protest with both China and Russia over the unannounced entry of their aircraft into the zone.

“

The South Korean military detected the Russian military aircraft before they entered the air defense zone and deployed Air Force fighter jets to prepare for any possible contingencies.