South Korea military says Russian, Chinese military aircraft enter Korea's defence identification zone - Yonhap

South Korea’s military reported that Russian and Chinese military aircraft entered the country’s Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) on Tuesday, prompting the deployment of fighter jets as a precautionary measure. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, seven Russian and two Chinese aircraft briefly entered the zone near sensitive territorial areas, including Dokdo and Ieodo, before exiting without violating South Korean airspace. The KADIZ, while not recognized as sovereign airspace under international law, requires foreign aircraft to identify themselves, and its incursion has become recurring feature of regional military activity.

China confirmed the joint patrol as part of its annual cooperation plan with Russia, describing it as a measure to address regional challenges and maintain peace and stability. This marks the latest in a series of similar exercises since 2019, during which both countries have increasingly coordinated military flights near the Korean Peninsula. Russia, which does not recognize the KADIZ as legally binding, has previously criticized its unilateral establishment.

South Korea’s defense ministry emphasized its commitment to responding to such activities in accordance with international law, while expressing concern over the growing frequency of these incursions. The incident underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region, where overlapping territorial claims and shifting alliances continue to influence military and economic stability.