[Comprehensive] Chinese and Russian Military Aircraft Enter KADIZ Simultaneously... First Time Since July Last Year

Russian Bomber TU-95 'Bear'

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Four Chinese military aircraft and fifteen Russian military aircraft entered the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ).

On the 22nd, the Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that after 8 a.m., four Chinese H-series military aircraft sequentially entered KADIZ from the west of Ieodo, with two of them passing east of Ulleungdo and then exiting KADIZ. Additionally, fifteen Russian military aircraft entered from the north of the East Sea KADIZ, among which two aircraft exited KADIZ east of Dokdo, re-entered, and then exited northeast of Dokdo.

Before the Chinese military aircraft entered KADIZ, China notified through the Korea-China direct communication line that it was a routine training exercise. Neither country's military aircraft violated South Korean airspace. Although the Air Defense Identification Zone is not sovereign airspace, it is established to prevent airspace violations and accidental collisions. It is customary for foreign aircraft intending to enter this zone to obtain prior approval from the relevant military authorities. The South Korean military deployed air force fighters before the Chinese aircraft entered KADIZ as a normal tactical measure to prepare for any unexpected situations.

There is also an interpretation that this was an attempt to probe South Korea's military response by crossing in and out of KADIZ. Furthermore, some speculate that it was aimed at countering the United States, which is engaged in not only a trade war but also maritime hegemony competition. In the past, China claimed that since Ieodo is a submerged reef, it does not constitute territory, in relation to the partial overlap of the Korea-China Air Defense Identification Zones.

The Chinese and Russian military aircraft operating over the East Sea airspace were identified as bomber-type aircraft such as the H-6 and TU-95. It is also understood that there were early warning control aircraft, suggesting that China and Russia conducted a form of joint exercise planned in advance. This is the first time since July last year that Russian and Chinese military aircraft have simultaneously entered KADIZ.

The joint flight of Chinese and Russian military aircraft is unusual, and their exact intentions remain unclear. Currently, the dominant interpretation is that their simultaneous entry into KADIZ is a political demonstration of force targeting specific countries rather than a simple training exercise.

In fact, China and Russia recently held a summit confirming their friendly relations, and signs of cooperation in the military supply sector have been detected, indicating a strengthening relationship. This has led to interpretations that they are expressing their intention to unite against the South Korea-U.S.-Japan alliance. Meanwhile, many view that joint flights over the East Sea and other areas will increase as China and Russia respond jointly to the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy. This raises concerns that the area around the Korean Peninsula could become a stage for a new Cold War in Northeast Asia.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "We assess this as a joint exercise by China and Russia," adding, "Further analysis is needed."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.