Two Russian Tupolev TU-95 bombers, seen here at the Victory Day Parade in Moscow in May (center), were intercepted near Alaska. (archive image)
US fighter jets have intercepted two Russian bombers near the state of Alaska. The Tu-95 bombers flew into Alaska’s so-called Air Defense Identification Zone on Monday, the North American Air Defense Command Norad said on Tuesday. Two F-16 fighter jets then intercepted the two bombers.
The Russian planes were in international airspace at the time and had not entered US or Canadian airspace, Norad emphasized. The Russian approach is neither considered a “threat” nor “provocative”.
This is an air defense identification zone
An air defense identification zone is an extended area beyond a country’s airspace where aircraft movements are observed to allow more time to respond in the event of a potential attack.
The North American Air Defense Command said it “routinely” observed foreign aircraft in the area and escorted them out “if necessary”. It is relatively common for Russian planes to be intercepted in the region.
Relations between the US and Russia are currently extremely strained because of the Russian war of aggression once morest Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin (70) has repeatedly raised the possibility of using nuclear weapons. (AFP/euc)
