Two Russian Tu-95 bombers and two Chinese H-6 bombers were intercepted by North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) fighters while flying near Alaska on Wednesday.
The incident marked the first time Russian and Chinese military aircraft have jointly entered the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
The ADIZ is a buffer zone in international airspace where aircraft are identified and monitored for national security purposes. Although the Russian and Chinese bombers did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace, their presence in the ADIZ prompted NORAD to scramble American F-16s and F-35s, Canadian CF-18s, and other support aircraft.
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NORAD officials stated that the Russian and Chinese activity was not perceived as a direct threat. However, the incident underscores the increasing military cooperation between Russia and China, and their growing assertiveness in projecting power in the region.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that the bombers were on a “joint air patrol” over the Bering Sea, which separates Russia and Alaska. China’s Ministry of Defense echoed this statement, emphasizing that the patrol was part of an annual military engagement plan.
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The incident comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s growing influence in the Pacific. While the joint patrol may be seen as a routine exercise by Russia and China, it is likely to raise concerns among U.S. and Canadian officials about the two nations’ strategic intentions.
NORAD has reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring and responding to any potential threats in North American airspace. The command stressed that it will continue to “meet presence with presence” as it tracks competitor activity near the continent.
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