Russian Tupolev Tu-95 aircraft also participated in a joint patrol with China on June 6. (Source: Reuters)

An air group consisting of Chinese Tupolev Tu-95 aircraft and Xian H-6K strategic bombers conducted an eight-hour joint patrol with Sukhoi Su-30M, Su-35S and Shenyang J-11 fighter jets.

On June 7, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that while conducting joint operations, long-range strategic bombers from Russia and China were sometimes closely followed by fighter jets from unidentified countries.

The ministry did not name the country that dispatched fighter jets to monitor the group of Russian and Chinese aircraft, and affirmed that the joint patrol by Moscow and Beijing did not violate the airspace of other countries.

Meanwhile, at a regular press conference on June 8, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that its joint patrols with Russia are not aimed at any specific country and are in accordance with international law and practice.

This is the sixth joint patrol between Russia and China since 2019, conducted in the context of increased military cooperation between Beijing and Moscow.

The activity has alarmed neighboring countries South Korea and Japan, who have expressed concerns to Russia and China through diplomatic channels.