A Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber performs a flight over the neutral waters of the Bering Sea, in this still image taken from a handout video released February 14, 2023. Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS
Multiple Russian military aircraft including fighter jets and strategic bombers were intercepted by North American air defense forces as they flew over international airspace near Alaska, U.S. military said.
The aircraft, which were identified on Feb. 13, did not enter United States or Canadian airspace and did not pose a threat, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said in a statement dated Feb. 14.
It added that the Russian flights were in no way related to the mysterious spate of airborne objects shot down by the U.S. military over North America in the past few weeks.
“NORAD had anticipated this Russian activity and, as a result of our planning, was prepared to intercept it … Two NORAD F-16 fighters intercepted the Russian aircraft,” it said.
While NORAD said it sometimes escorts aircraft out of the space near Alaska if needed, it did not say whether this was the case this time.
Russia did not say whether its aircraft had been intercepted but said on Wednesday that it had carried out multiple flights over international waters in recent days, including in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia.
It said two of its Tu-95MC strategic missile carriers had flown over the Bering Sea accompanied by Su-30 jets.
“Long-range aviation pilots regularly perform flights over the neutral waters of the Arctic, North Atlantic, Black Sea, Baltic Sea and Pacific Ocean,” Russia’s defense ministry said.
North American security forces have been on high alert in recent weeks after a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon crossed into U.S. airspace, prompting the United States to shoot it and other objects down as it combs the skies.
While Russia has carried out flights over the Bering Sea before, its neighbors in the region have become more concerned about Moscow’s military activity since its invasion of Ukraine last year.
NATO member states have ramped up Arctic military exercises in recent years, as Russia has expanded and renewed its military infrastructure in the region.