Chinese and Russian fighter jets entered the air defense zone, and South Korea scrambled to launch fighter jets
South Korea deployed fighter jets on Saturday after more than 10 Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered its air defense identification zone (ADIZ), Seoul said, prompting the military to take precautionary measures amid rising regional tensions.Agence France-Presse quoted the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul as saying: “The South Korean military detected Chinese and Russian aircraft before they entered the area and deployed air force fighter jets to deal with any emergencies.”So far, neither China nor Russia has commented on the matter.The latest development follows a similar incident in December 2025, when nine Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered South Korea’s Air Defense Identification Zone, sparking strong protests from South Korea and Japan. Following the incident, South Korea’s Defense Ministry lodged a formal protest with Beijing and Moscow, while Japan expressed “grave concerns” about its impact on regional security. China and Russia later said the flights were part of joint strategic air patrols over the East China Sea and the Western Pacific. Saturday’s operation comes against the backdrop of ongoing military cooperation between Beijing and Moscow, which have conducted numerous joint air and sea patrols in the region in recent years.
