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| Russian Tu-95MS Bombers and Chinese H-6K Bombers Hold Joint Air Patrols |
International Military - The Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber air task force and China's H-6K strategic bomber jets conducted joint air patrols over the waters of the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Wednesday (30/11/2022).
“On November 30, 2022, the Russian Air Force and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force conducted a new joint air patrol in the Asia-Pacific region. The air task force consisting of the Tu-95MS strategic missile carrier bomber of the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Hong-6K strategic bomber of the Chinese People's Liberation Army conducted air patrols over the waters of the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea," the ministry said in a statement, as quoted. from TASS.
The flight by the Russian missile-carrying bomber lasted about eight hours, the ministry explained. "Su-30SM and Su-35S jets of the Russian Aerospace Forces are providing combat support for the airborne task force," the statement continued.
It was also explained that Russian and Chinese strategic bombers made a cross-landing at the airfields of the two countries for the first time during their joint air patrol. "For the first time in the history of air patrols, Russian planes landed at airfields in the People's Republic of China and Chinese planes landed at airfields on the territory of the Russian Federation," the ministry said.
The Russian Defense Ministry explained that foreign fighter jets escorted strategic missile-carrying bombers at several stages of air patrols. "In order to complete their mission, the aircraft of the two countries acted strictly in accordance with the provisions of international law. There was no violation of foreign country's airspace," the ministry said.
The Russian Ministry of Defense emphasizes that strategic bombers carry out air strikes with them. This patrol was part of the 2022 military cooperation plan and the flight was not directed to any third country.