Seoul: Nearly 10 Chinese and Russian military aircraft briefly entered and left South Korea's air defense identification zone (KADIZ) above the country's eastern and southern waters, South Korea's military reported Saturday. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed that these aircraft did not violate South Korea's airspace, as they were detected before entering the air defense zone.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean military responded by dispatching Air Force fighter jets to prepare for any potential contingencies. The air defense zone, while not considered territorial airspace, serves to ensure foreign planes identify themselves to prevent accidental clashes.

The brief entry of the aircraft is believed to have taken place during joint air drills between China and Russia, as noted by a JCS official.