South Korea Deploys Fighter Jets After Russian Aircraft Enter Air Defence Zone

Seoul: South Korea deployed fighter jets on Wednesday after detecting several Russian military aircraft entering its air defence identification zone (KADIZ) over the East Sea, marking the second such incident in recent weeks.

The South Korean Defence Ministry said the Russian aircraft entered the identification zone and later departed without violating the country's sovereign airspace.

South Korean forces had detected the aircraft before they entered the zone and deployed Air Force fighter jets as a precaution against any potential threat, the ministry said. It did not provide further details about the number or type of Russian aircraft involved.

An air defence identification zone is distinct from a country's territorial airspace. It serves as a designated area where foreign aircraft are generally expected to identify themselves to enable authorities to monitor potential security risks. International law does not require foreign aircraft to obtain permission to enter such zones.

Relations between Seoul and Moscow have deteriorated since South Korea joined Western sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Russia's expanding military and strategic cooperation with North Korea has further strained ties.

The latest incident follows a similar episode in late June, when more than 10 Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered South Korea's air defence identification zone.

The latest Russian aircraft activity comes amid heightened security concerns in the region, particularly over growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.