Russian bombers, US jets come face-to-face near Alaska over Bering Sea
Russian bombers, US jets come face to face near Alaska
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed on Telegram that two of their nuclear bombers flew off the western coast of Alaska on Thursday (May 2). US fighter jetswere scrambledas the two Tu-95MS strategic missile-carrying bombers came face-to-face with American warplanes. Moscow said its hulking ‘Bear’ strategic bombers “appeared near the coast of Alaska” on an 11-hour flight over the Bering Sea. “At certain stages the missile carriers were accompanied by fighter jets of foreign countries,” theRussian defence ministry admitted.
Moscow also released footage in which a warplane from the Alaska Air National Guard, part of the United States Air Force, could be seen, along with a Su-30SM fighter jet.
“Two Tu-95MS strategic missile-carrying bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces’ long-range aviation carried out a scheduled flight in the airspace over the neutral waters of the Bering Sea near the western coast of Alaska,” said the defence ministry. “The flight lasted over 11 hours. Crews of Su-30SM of the Aerospace Forces provided fighter support.”
However, Russia said it didn’t violate any international lawandthe mission wascarried out“in strict compliance with international rules of airspace use.”
It wasnot clearwhich other foreign nation dispatched its fighter jets to intercept Russian bombersbutmedia reports suggest it could beCanada,because of its proximity to Alaska.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) confirmedThursdaythe planes remained in international airspace.
“The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace,” the statement said.
“This Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat,” it added.
About Tu-95 bombers
The Tu-95 fleet is a traditional asset in Russia’s nuclear armourybutthe planes have alsobeen usedto launch deadly missile strikes inside Ukraine in the ongoing war.
Watch:Russia-Ukraine War: Russia displays Western tanks captured in Ukraine war
They were introducedsome 70 years ago butstill remain a mainstay of the Russian nuclear force.
The recent US-Russia showdown over Alaska comes as Russia fumes over renewed $61 billion American military aid to Ukraine. The US said last week it will send a massive security package to the war-torn nationincludingbadly needed air defence systems and artillery rounds.
(With inputs from agencies)