WW4 File: Russia and Red China carry out second strategic bomber patrol over Sea of Japan and East China Sea on Dec. 22, first such flight took place in July 2019, Japan and South Korea scramble warplanes to intercept air armada consisting of two Tu-95 bombers and 13 other Russian aircraft, inc. Su-35 fighter jets and A-50 AEW&C aircraft, as well as four PLAAF H6-K bombers; Russian Defence Ministry denies joint air force mission “targeted third countries,” intended rather to “develop and deepen the comprehensive Russia-China partnership, further increase the level of co-operation between the two militaries, expand their ability for joint action and strengthen strategic stability”; Alexey Muraviev, prof at Australia’s Curtin U: “The Russians and the Chinese have now entered the stage which I describe as near defense alliance”; mean- while, Moscow revitalizes its Cold War-era presence in Africa by deploying 300 “military instructors” to Central African Republic, bolster government of PM Firmin Ngrébada against rebels threatening security of Dec. 27 presidential election, 750 Rwandan peace- keepers also in CAR under UN mission; Washington rushes to counter est. of Russian naval base at Port Sudan by strengthening mil-mil relations with Khartoum after latter removed from list of sponsors of state terror

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