S.Korea Scrambles F-16s after Russian Bombers enter Air Defense Zone

The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) scrambled F-16 fighters after Russian Tu-95MS bombers allegedly entered South Korea's air defense identification zone (KADIZ).

Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed that Russian military aircraft entered the zone, prompting the Air Force to scramble fighters into the scene. The JCS, however, did not provide any other details such as type of aircraft involved in the incident.

The air defense zone is not territorial airspace but is delineated to call on foreign aircraft to identify themselves in order to prevent accidental clashes.

Meanwhile, Russian defense ministry said two Tupolev-95MS strategic bombers flew a patrol mission over the Sea of Japan for seven hours. Sukhoi Su-30SM jets accompanied the Tupolev aircraft.

“At certain stages of the route the Tupolev-95MS planes were escorted by South Korea’s F-16 fighters,” the ministry said.

Moscow emphasized that "all flights of Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft are carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace."