Japan's Defense Ministry said late Tuesday (December 9) that the Chinese and Russian air forces conducted joint patrols in the airspace surrounding Japan, forcing Japan to scramble fighter jets to monitor them. The Japanese side stated that two Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers departed from the Sea of Japan, flew to the East China Sea, and met up with two Chinese H-6 bombers, subsequently conducting a "long-range joint flight" over the Pacific Ocean.
The Ministry of Defense report indicates that four additional Chinese J-16 fighter jets participated in the patrol, flying back and forth in the airspace between Okinawa and Miyako Island, an area considered international airspace and waters. The report also notes that Japan detected Russian military operations over the Sea of Japan, including one A-50 early warning aircraft and two Su-30 fighter jets.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated on the social media platform X on Wednesday (10th) that the joint military operation by China and Russia "is clearly a demonstration against our country and poses a serious threat to Japan's national security." He emphasized that Japanese fighter jets have "strictly implemented air defense identification measures" to deal with incoming air traffic.
South Korea's Ministry of National Defense also stated that a total of seven Russian military aircraft and two Chinese military aircraft entered South Korea's Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ), and South Korea immediately dispatched fighter jets to monitor and respond. The Russian Ministry of National Defense, through domestic media, also stated that the joint flight with China lasted for eight hours.
Beijing has recently intensified its military activities in the East China Sea and its airspace, citing strong dissatisfaction from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks last month regarding a potential "Taiwan crisis." Japan claimed on Saturday (6th) that Chinese J-15 fighter jets from its aircraft carrier had illuminated Japanese military aircraft with their radar, a claim denied by China.
On December 9, 2 Japanese bombers (Tu-95) and 2 Chinese bombers (H-6) were sent to the East Sea Convergence and the East Sea Convergence to the Pacific Ocean from Shikokuけて Long distance にわたる common flight を実时したことをconfirmation し、これらに対してThe Nansei Air Force of the Air Self-Defense Force was waiting for the aircraft to be put into emergency operation.https://t.co/L14kNdKR91 https://t.co/C2X6vjp8TX pic.twitter.com/oXi00GJzHc
- 防衛 省 ・ 自衛隊 (@ModJapan_jp) December 9, 2025
