Nuclear-capable strategic bombers from Russia and China patrolled near the U.S. state of Alaska in the North Pacific and Arctic on Thursday, the two countries said, a move that prompted the United States and Canada to scramble fighter jets.
Russian Tu-95MS “Bear” strategic bombers and Chinese Xi’an H-6 strategic bombers took part in patrols over the Chukchi and Bering seas and the North Pacific, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
“During the flight, the Russian and Chinese crews cooperated in the new area of joint operations during all stages of air patrol,” the Russian ministry said in a statement.
“At some stages of the route, the air group was accompanied by fighter aircraft from foreign countries,” he added.
On the five-hour flight, the Russian and Chinese bombers were escorted by Russian Sukhoi Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters. No foreign airspace was violated, Russia said.
The US military’s North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said US and Canadian fighter jets had intercepted the Russian and People’s Republic of China (PRC) aircraft in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
“The Russian and PRC aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace,” NORAD said.
“This Russian and PRC activity in the Alaska ADIZ is not considered a threat, and NORAD will continue to monitor competing activity near North America and respond to presence with presence.”
The joint patrol had deepened strategic mutual trust and coordination between the two militaries, a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman said.
It had “nothing to do with the current international situation,” Zhang Xiaogang said.
“The event was held within the framework of the implementation of the military cooperation plan for 2024 and is not directed against third countries,” Russia said.
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