Russia "Two Strategic Bombers Patrol East Sea... Compliance with International Law"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that two strategic bombers conducted patrol flights over the East Sea, completing their scheduled flights in the neutral waters of the East Sea in compliance with international law. This move is interpreted as a measure to monitor the activities of South Korea, Japan, and the United States, following a similar patrol flight over the East Sea at the end of last month.

According to TASS news agency on the 14th (local time), the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that two strategic bombers conducted patrol flights over the East Sea. The Russian Ministry of Defense emphasized, "Two Tupolev (TU)-95 strategic bombers conducted a scheduled 7-hour flight in the neutral waters of the East Sea," adding, "This flight is part of regular flights conducted in neutral waters such as the Arctic Ocean, North Atlantic, Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and Pacific Ocean, strictly adhering to international law."

It is reported that Suhoi (SU)-30SM and SU-35S fighter jets also participated in this flight. However, it has not been confirmed whether the flight path of these military aircraft included the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) over the East Sea.

Previously, on the 30th of last month, Russia, together with China, entered the East Sea KADIZ with military aircraft and conducted patrol flights for 8 hours. At that time, due to the unannounced entry of Russian military aircraft into the KADIZ, the South Korean Air Force urgently scrambled fighter jets to respond. The Russian Ministry of Defense also stated then that the flight complied with international law and did not enter the airspace of other countries.

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