Russian and Chinese strategic bombers conduct joint patrol near Alaska
Russian and Chinese nuclear-capable strategic bombers conducted joint patrols near the US state of Alaska on Thursday.
The manoeuver prompted both the United States and Canada to scramble fighter jets. The patrols included Russian Tu-95MS "Bear" bombers and Chinese Xi'an H-6 bombers, covering areas over the Chukchi and Bering Seas and the North Pacific, according to Russia's defence ministry.
The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that during the five-hour flight, Russian and Chinese crews cooperated throughout the entire mission. At various points, the air group was accompanied by fighters from other nations. Russian Sukhoi Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters escorted the bombers, and Russia reported that no foreign airspace was violated.
The US military's North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) confirmed that US and Canadian fighter jets intercepted the Russian and Chinese aircraft within the Alaska Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). NORAD clarified that the aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign territories.
NORAD stated that the activities of the Russian and Chinese bombers in the Alaska ADIZ are not considered a threat. The command will continue to monitor such activities and respond accordingly. The joint patrol has reportedly strengthened strategic trust and coordination between the Russian and Chinese militaries, according to a Chinese defense ministry spokesperson.
Both Russia and China indicated that the patrols were part of the military cooperation plan for 2024 and were not directed against any third countries.
The joint patrol had deepened strategic mutual trust and coordination between the two militaries, a spokesperson for China's defence ministry said.
It had "nothing to do with the current international situation", said Zhang Xiaogang.
"The event was held as part of the implementation of the military cooperation plan for 2024 and is not directed against third countries," Russia said.