US F-35 jets intercept 4 Russian fighter aircraft near Alaska, second action in 2 days
NORAD plays down concerns about second interception of Russian aircraft in two days, calling incident 'routine'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Two U.S. F-35 fighter jets intercepted Russian fighter aircraft Tuesday as they approached Alaska's Air Defense Identification Zone, officials announced Thursday.
The Russian military aircraft included a TU-95 BEAR-H bomber, as well as SU-30 and SU-35 fighter jets.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A Russian TU-95 strategic bomber takes off during Russian-Chinese military aerial exercises to patrol the Asia-Pacific region, at an unidentified location, in this still image taken from a video released on May 24, 2022. (Russian Defence Ministry/Handout/Reuters)
North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which detected and intercepted the craft, said that it did not enter U.S. airspace.
NORAD stated that the incident was not related to the spate of unidentified aircraft seen in recent weeks, calling the situation "routine."
RUSSIAN MILITARY AIRCRAFT INTERCEPTED NEAR ALASKA, NORAD SAYS
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}SU-30 fighter jets are seen in close formation in the sky over Zhukovsky, Russia, on July 24, 2021. (Mihail Siergiejevicz/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Two F-16 fighter jets were previously dispatched by NORAD to intercept separate Russian aircraft on Monday, which included a TU-95 BEARH-H and SU-35 fighter jet.
"This is the second intercept of Russian aircraft over two days. This Russian activity near the North American ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat, nor is the activity seen as provocative," NORAD said Thursday.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}F-35 jets in air. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ali Stewart)
Since 2007, Russian aircraft have been intercepted in the North American ADIZ six to seven times a year.
The latest incursion comes amid increased tensions between Russia and the West over the war in Ukraine. Two Dutch F-35s intercepted Russian military aircraft near Polish airspace on Monday, according to defense officials.