China and Russia stage first joint bomber patrol near Alaska

Russia and China have staged a joint patrol over the north Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea near the coast of Alaska. The two countries have carried out several joint patrols in the past, and Russia regularly flies its bombers over the Bering Sea. Wednesday's joint patrol was the first that brought together bombers from both countries in the north Pacific area. China has said the patrol has "Nothing to do with the current international and regional situation". China and Russia have developed closer ties since Moscow was placed under sanctions by the West following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Earlier this month, Moscow and Beijing wrapped up their fourth joint naval patrol in the northern and western Pacific Ocean. Nato countries issued a joint statement at the end of a recent summit in Washington accusing China of being a "Decisive enabler" of Russia's war in Ukraine and urging it to "Cease all material and political support" to the country's war effort.