The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that two Tu-95MS bombers carried out a planned flight over international airspace in the Bering Sea, near the west coast of Alaska, escorted by fighter jets. The flight lasted over 11 hours, with images showing the squadron departing from the base at dawn. In response to this event, the US Air Force dispatched F-16s to monitor the situation.
The North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) reported the presence of Russian military aircraft in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), emphasizing that the aircraft remained in international airspace and did not violate US airspace. NORAD clarified that Russian military activities in the Alaska ADIZ were regular and not deemed as a threat.
Russia has been operating its strategic air force in international airspace in various regions, including the Arctic, North Atlantic, Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and Pacific Ocean, in compliance with international regulations. Since 2007, Russian military aircraft have regularly entered the Alaska ADIZ without breaching US airspace. Both Russia and the US engage in professional and safe monitoring activities when aircraft approach each other’s territories.
