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

Russian strategic bomber Tu-95 surrounded by MiG-29s are seen flying in a file photo. AFP/Getty Images

The U.S. military intercepted two Russian bomber jets flying near the Alaskan coast on Oct. 17, 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),” a NORAD said in an Oct. 18 statement.

NORAD said 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 didn’t enter U.S. or Canadian airspace and stayed within international airspace, according to the statement. NORAD didn’t 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 reads.

According to NORAD’s statement, it uses “a layered” network of satellites, fighter planes, and radars to track aircraft near North American airspace. NORAD stated 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 stated.

Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder didn’t provide more details during a press briefing on Oct. 18 when he was asked about the Oct. 17 NORAD statement.

Russian officials haven’t 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 stated, noting 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 stated that it had tracked and identified two Russian patrol aircraft inside the Canadian and Alaskan ADIZ, although the Russian planes didn’t enter U.S. or Canadian airspace.

Four upgraded U.S.-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. U.S. and Russian officials have increasingly issued warnings about the possible use of nuclear weapons over the past months or so.

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