Russian and Chinese strategic missile carriers were escorted by foreign fighters in some patrol areas, the ministry noted.
MOSCOW, June 7. /tass/. The Aerospace Forces (VKS) of Russia and the Air Forces of the People's Liberation Army (PLA Air Force) of China conducted another joint air patrol over the waters of the Japanese and East China Seas, the western part of the Pacific Ocean. This was reported on Wednesday in the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
"On June 7, 2023, the Russian Aerospace Forces and the PLA Air Force conducted another joint air patrol in the Asia-Pacific region. An air group consisting of strategic missile carriers Tu-95MS of the Russian Aerospace Forces and strategic bombers "Hun-6k" of the PLA Air Force carried out air patrols over the waters of the Japanese and East China Seas, the western part of the Pacific Ocean,"the department reported.
They noted that the joint flight lasted about 8 hours. Fighter cover along the entire route was carried out by Russian Su-30SM, Su-35S and Chinese Jian-11b. During the patrol, Russian planes landed and took off from the airfield in China, at some stages strategic missile carriers were accompanied by fighters of foreign states.
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation stressed that the flights of strategic missile carriers of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China took place in accordance with international law, violations of the airspace of foreign states were not allowed. They also added that the patrol took place within the framework of the implementation of the provisions of the military cooperation plan for 2023 and is not directed against third countries.
"During the execution of the tasks, the aircraft of both countries acted strictly in accordance with the provisions of international law. There have been no violations of the airspace of foreign states," the ministry said.
