Kathmandu, Jul 26: Russia and China have conducted joint military patrols in the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea near Alaska, marking the first time that the warplanes of both nations have been seen together in this region.

This joint patrol, conducted on Wednesday, is part of a series of similar operations that both countries have carried out independently in the past. Russia has frequently flown its warplanes around the Bering Sea. However, the recent joint activity with Chinese warplanes in the Pacific Ocean highlights a new level of cooperation between the two nations.

Both Russia and China have stated that the patrol was not aimed at targeting any third party. Despite this, the US-Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) monitored and intercepted the planes, noting that they remained in international airspace and did not pose a threat.

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski criticized the patrols, describing them as a provocative move. In contrast, China emphasized that the patrols were unrelated to the current international and regional situation.

The increased cooperation between China and Russia has been notable since Western countries imposed numerous sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This growing partnership between the two nations underscores their strategic alignment in the face of Western opposition.