Two Russian Nuclear Bombers Intercepted Off Alaskan Coast By US and Canadian Jets

U.S. and Canadian fighter jets intercepted two Russian TU-95 bombers over the Beaufort Sea, off the coast of Alaska on Thursday. The Russian jets were not inside the U.S. or Canadian airspace.

According to a statement from North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the long range nuclear capable Russian bombers remained in international airspace over the Beaufort sea. Two U.S. F-22 and two Canadian CF-18 fighter jets positively identified and intercepted the TU-95 Bear bombers in Alaskan and Canadian Air Defense Identification Zones, which extend 200 miles off the Alaskan coast to the west.

The U.S. and Canadian fighter jets were supported by E-3 Sentry, a KC-135 Stratotanker and a C-130 Tanker. NORAD shared the images of these aircrafts on Twitter.

The Russian military said its two strategic nuclear capable bombers had flown in international waters during a 10-hour patrol mission, a part of Ocean Shield exercise, before being escorted by U.S. fighter jets.

According to ABC news, this was the fifth time Russian aircrafts have been intercepted this year by U.S. jets. The previous interception came in May when multiple Russian TU-95 and SU-35 jets were intercepted off Alaska for two days in a row. Last week two Russian anti-submarine warfare jets on maritime reconnaissance had entered the Alaskan ADIZ and was identified by the NORAD, but not intercepted.

Russia had annexed Ukraine’s Crimea Peninsula in 2014, which led to increased tensions with the U.S. and its NATO allies. They have significantly increased the number and scope of military drills, with Russian and NATO warplanes routinely intercepting and escorting each other.

Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, the NORAD commander said in a statement, "NORAD's top priority is defending Canada and the United States. NORAD operators identified and intercepted the Russian aircraft flying near our nations. Whether responding to violators of restricted airspace domestically or identifying and intercepting foreign military aircraft, NORAD is on alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year."

The U.S. too has carried out similar reconnaissance flights close to the Russian border, with a U.S. aircraft being intercepted over the Mediterranean Sea three times in three hours by Russian jets in June.