Russia and China conduct joint patrols with nuclear bombers near Alaska, US

NORAD says the planes “did not enter” US and Canadian airspace and says it does not consider them “a threat”

Jul 25. () –

The armed forces of Russia and China conducted joint patrols near the US state of Alaska in the North Pacific Ocean on Thursday, both countries confirmed, giving a further indication of the strengthening of their bilateral relations.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement posted on its Telegram account that its Air Force has deployed Tu-95MS nuclear-capable strategic bombers and added that Beijing has done the same with Hong-6K bombers. It said the forces “have practiced interaction issues at all stages of an air patrol.”

“The joint flight of the Russian and Chinese aircraft lasted more than five hours. During certain stages of the route, the group was accompanied by fighter jets from foreign countries,” he said, after the United States and Canada sent planes to the area.

In this regard, Moscow has stressed that “the aircraft of both countries have acted in strict compliance with the clauses of international law” and added that “there has been no violation of the airspace of foreign states.”

For his part, the spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Defense, Zhang Xiaogang, stressed in a press conference that these are the eighth joint maneuvers of this type and stressed that “this action is not directed at third parties, is in line with international law and has nothing to do with the international or regional situation,” according to a transcript of his words provided by the ministry itself.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said in a statement that its forces “tracked and intercepted two Tu-95s and two H-6s operating in the Air Defense Identification Zone in Alaska,” an operation carried out by American and Canadian fighter aircraft.

“Russian and Chinese aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace,” he stressed, before stating that he does not consider these maneuvers to be “a threat.” “NORAD will continue to monitor the activity of competitors near North America and meet presence with presence,” he argued.