China, Russia Launch Joint Air Patrol Near Japan

Japan and South Korea scrambled fighter jets on Tuesday as China and Russia held a joint air drill on Tuesday. South Korea said Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered its air defense zone. Japan said Chinese and Russian bombers flew into the Sea of Japan. China’s defense ministry said the patrol is part of the annual cooperation. In 2022, Chinese and Russian fighter jets flew near Japan’s airspace. That’s when Tokyo was hosting leaders from the U.S., India, and Australia.