US Air Force Intercepts Russian Nuclear-Capable Bombers Off Alaskan Coast

The U.S. military intercepted two Russian bomber jets flying near the Alaskan coast on Monday, the North American Aerospace Defense Command confirmed.

The “Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Region detected, tracked, positively identified, and intercepted two Russian Tu-95 Bear-H bombers entering and operating within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ),” said a news release from NORAD on Tuesday.

NORAD said that U.S. Airforce F-16s intercepted the Russian bombers, which are capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Based on NORAD’s statement, it’s not clear whether the Tu-95s were armed with any weapons.

The bombers did not enter American or Canadian airspace and stayed within international airspace, the statement said. NORAD did not publish any photos or video footage of the incident.

“The recent Russian activity in the North American ADIZ is not seen as a threat nor is the activity seen as provocative. NORAD tracks and positively identifies foreign military aircraft that enter the ADIZ. NORAD routinely monitors foreign aircraft movements and as necessary, escorts them from the ADIZ,” the statement said.

NORAD’s statement said it uses “a layered” network of satellites, fighter planes, and radars to track aircraft near North American airspace. NORAD said that it can detect “what goes on in and near North American airspace 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

“Aerospace control requires capabilities to intercept, shadow, escort, divert, direct landings, and if necessary, use force up to and including the destruction of airborne objects,” the U.S. command office said.

Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder did not provide more details during a news briefing on Tuesday when he was asked about Monday’s NORAD statement.

Russian officials have not publicly commented on NORAD’s statement. The Russian Ministry of Defense told the state-run RIA news organization that two Tu-95 planes flew over the Pacific Ocean.

“The flight duration was more than 12 hours. Fighter escort was provided by the crews of the MiG-31 aircraft of the Pacific Fleet naval aviation,” the ministry said, adding that the trip occurred over neutral waters.

Tensions

Interceptions of Russian military planes in the Alaska zone are relatively common, occurring several times per year. Alaska and Russia’s Far East region share a maritime border, separated by the Bering Strait.

Several weeks ago, NORAD said it tracked and identified two Russian patrol aircraft inside the Canadian and Alaskan ADIZ, although the Russian planes didn’t enter American or Canadian airspace.

Four upgraded US-made F-16 V fighters fly during a demonstration at a ceremony at the Chiayi Air Force in southern Taiwan on Nov. 18, 2021. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

The bomber incident comes at a tense time between Russia and the United States. After Russia invaded Ukraine, a country backed by the United States, Washington imposed hefty sanctions and other forms of punishment against Moscow. Meanwhile, U.S. and Russian officials have increasingly issued warnings about the possible use of nuclear weapons over the past months or so.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration will provide another $700 million in military aid to Ukraine following Russian missile strikes across the country, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement on Oct. 15. That includes “munitions, arms, and equipment from U.S. Department of Defense inventories,” Blinken told media outlets in his statement.