Russian and Chinese Strategic Bombers Conduct Flyby Near Japan

Russia and China carried out large-scale joint exercises involving strategic bombers over the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the western Pacific.

Five Russian Tu-95MS bombers took off from the Ukrainka airbase and headed toward the Sea of Japan, according to AviVector.

The Tu-95MS conducted simulated launches of Kh-101 cruise missiles over the Japanese archipelago. Two Il-78M tankers provided aerial refueling for the Tu-95MS bombers over the Sea of Japan.

After that, the Russian Tu-95MS bombers headed to the East China Sea, where they met with two Chinese H-6K aircraft and formed a joint strike group.

During the training mission, an A-50U aircraft over the Sea of Japan served as a command post and maintained communication with a Project 1155 large anti-submarine ship operating in the Sea of Okhotsk.

On the Chinese side, the airspace was monitored by a KJ-500A aircraft. Chinese J-16 and J-11 fighters, together with Russian Su-30SMs, escorted the bombers.

In response to the flight, South Korea’s F-15 fighters and Japan Self-Defense Forces’ F-35s were scrambled.