Russian, Chinese Strategic Bombers Patrol Sea Of Japan, East China Sea, Western Pacific Ocean

On November 30, 2024, Russia’s Ministry of Defense published a video on its Telegram channel, showing Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers and Chinese PLA H-6K strategic bombers carrying out air patrols over the waters of the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the western part of the Pacific Ocean. The joint patrol flight lasted approximately eight hours. During the patrol, Russian Su-30SM and MiG-31 VKS jets flew alongside Chinese Jian-16 jets in order to provide air cover. Russian aircraft landed and took off from Chinese airfields, and during certain parts of the route, the strategic bombers were escorted by foreign fighter jets. In addition, the patrol involved a nighttime aerial refueling of a Russian Tu-95MS. The Russian Ministry of Defense has stated that the patrol was conducted in accordance with international law and did not violate any country’s airspace.