• South Korean and Japanese jets scramble in response to 9 Russian and Chinese military aircraft.
• The aircraft entered South Korea's air defense zone but did not violate territorial airspace.
• The joint patrol is part of ongoing military exercises between Russia and China.
• Both countries have increased military collaboration in recent years.
• South Korea has lodged a formal protest with China and Russia.

On Tuesday morning, seven Russian and two Chinese military aircraft entered South Korea's Air Defence Identification Zone (KADIZ) as part of a joint exercise, prompting the South Korean military to scramble fighter jets. The aircraft were identified before entering the KADIZ and were monitored for about an hour, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, which stated, “There was no violation of our airspace” during the incident, highlighting the necessity of early identification in such areas according to military protocols, according to SCMP and Al Jazeera.

In a separate but related display of military readiness, Japan also deployed its own air force aircraft, with Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi asserting that these flights signify an expansion of military activities that threaten Japan's national security. He described the two Russian Tu-95 bombers and accompanying Chinese aircraft as demonstrating “force against our nation,” according to reports from Al Jazeera and BBC.

South Korea's military has lodged a formal complaint with the Chinese and Russian embassies regarding the flights, marking the second such complaint this year as these nations have repeatedly entered its defence zone since 2019. The Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that the aircraft had entered near strategic locations such as Ulleungdo and Ieodo, areas which are also subject to territorial disputes, according to SCMP and BBC.

This joint military operation coincides with growing tensions in the region, particularly following Japanese assertions that Chinese jets had previously targeted Japanese aircraft with fire-control radars, an act viewed as aggressive. China has maintained that its joint patrols with Russia are routine and part of an “annual cooperation plan” to address regional security challenges, according to announcements from both Al Jazeera and BBC.

The recent incidents reflect a broader trend of increasing military collaboration between China and Russia, especially since tensions have heightened globally due to geopolitical conflicts and military exercises. Both nations openly disregard South Korea’s claims over its air defense zone, which Russia has termed as “unilaterally” established, thus creating ongoing diplomatic strains in the region, according to SCMP, Al Jazeera, and BBC.