Russia and China have once again conducted a joint strategic bomber air patrol over the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the western Pacific Ocean. These sorts of patrols are common in the region. This was the eighth large-scale joint flight by Chinese and Russian aircraft near Japan since December 2023. Russia and China recently conducted joint patrols near Alaska, which triggered a reaction from NORAD.

China and Russia conduct joint patrol near Japan

According to the Russian Defence Ministry, Russian Tupolev Tu-95MS (NATO reporting name "Bear") and Chinese Xi'an H-6K strategic bombers conducted an eight-hour patrol around the Sea of Japan. The Russian aircraft took off from their bases in China, accompanied by fighter jets from both countries.

According to reporting by the japan times, the patrol involved ten Chinese and Russian military aircraft (including fighters). Fighters included Chinese J-16 fighters and Russian Su-35 fighters (there was also a Y-9 intelligence-gathering aircraft from China). FlightGlobal lists Russia as having 47 Tu-95SMs in service (although it is unclear if all of these are operational). China has around 120 H-6K bombers in service (it is an upgraded license-built version of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 that first flew in 1952).

Russia stated that the joint patrol did not violate the airspace of any foreign country (Japan and South Korea confirmed their airspace was not violated) and was not directed against any specific country. According to Chinese reporting, this was the ninth joint ar strategic patrol over the relevant airspace in the Sea of Japan. Both South Korea and Japan scrambled fighter jets in response to the patrol.

China & Russia claim it's their "doorstep"

Meanwhile, the English-language Chinese state-run newspaper Global Times reported, "The Chinese Defense Ministry announced on Saturday that the second-phase mission of the 9th joint air strategic patrol by the air forces of China and Russia in the Western Pacific was completed that day. An expert interviewed by the Global Times said that it is completely normal for the two countries’ air forces to conduct such operations regularly at their doorsteps."

The Global Times also reported that Russia and China consider the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the West Pacific airspace to be considered the 'doorsteps' of China and Russia. The area is also very much on the doorstep of Japan and South Korea.

"The China-Russia joint strategic air patrol was carried out as part of the two militaries' annual cooperation plan, which does not target any third party and has nothing to do with the current international and regional situations, a Chinese defense spokesperson said on Sunday." - Chinese Ministry of Defense

After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia is keen to show the world that it is not internationally isolated and has often trumpeted its relationship with China (with which it is clearly the junior partner). Russia is keen to publicize these joint air patrols and has good relations with its former Cold War enemy (the USSR and China were enemies after the Sino-Soviet split from 1961 until 1989 and even fought the border conflict of 1969).