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Chinese and Russian Military Aircraft Entered South Korea Air Defense Zone but Stayed Outside Sovereign Airspace
South Korea deployed fighter jets after nearly 10 Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered its air defense identification zone on June 27 before departing after a brief stay. The planes flew over the East Sea and South Sea but remained outside sovereign airspace. South Korea's military had detected the aircraft prior to entry.
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Nearly 10 Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered South Korea's air defense identification zone on June 27 before leaving after a brief stay. The aircraft flew over the East Sea and the South Sea but did not enter South Korean airspace. South Korea's military detected the aircraft before they reached the zone and deployed Air Force fighter jets to prepare for contingencies.
A Joint Chiefs of Staff official said the entry appeared to occur during joint air drills between Chinese and Russian forces. The air defense identification zone is not sovereign airspace. It serves as a buffer where countries identify approaching aircraft for security purposes, though notification is not legally required.
China and Russia did not comment on the June 27 incident. In December 2025, nine Chinese and Russian aircraft entered the same zone during what Beijing and Moscow described as a joint patrol over the East Sea and western Pacific. South Korea's Defence Ministry lodged protests with both capitals after that earlier flight, and Japan stated it held serious concern over national security.
