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US and Canada Intercept Russian and Chinese Bombers Near Alaska: What We Know
This week, the United States and Canada intercepted two Chinese bombers and two Russian bombers operating in international airspace near Alaska. It marked the first known joint flight of Russian and Chinese bombers over the North Pacific, highlighting expanding military cooperation between the two nations and raising concerns in the US and among its allies.
What Happened and When?
On Wednesday, US and Canadian fighter jets detected, tracked, and intercepted two Russian Tupolev TU-95 strategic bombers and two Chinese H-6 bombers. According to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the bombers did not enter US or Canadian sovereign airspace and were not perceived as a threat.
At a Thursday news conference, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin described the joint bomber flights as "not a surprise," suggesting that China and Russia may have been planning them for some time. The Russian Ministry of Defence stated the joint flight lasted over five hours, prompting an intercept exercise by the US and Canada to demonstrate defensive capabilities. "This is the first time that we’ve seen these two countries fly together," Austin noted.
Where Were the Russian and Chinese Planes Intercepted?
The bombers were intercepted within Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), a larger area than sovereign airspace and considered international airspace. ADIZs are not recognized in international law. The closest point of approach to the US coast was about 320 km (200 miles). The Russian Ministry of Defence reported the air patrol covered the Chukchi Sea, Bering Sea, and northern Pacific Ocean.
What Are the Russian TU-95 and the Chinese H-6?
Both are strategic bombers with Cold War-era Soviet designs. The Russian TU-95 is the only propeller-driven strategic bomber still in operation today. Both bombers are nuclear-capable and have theoretically unlimited range due to aerial refueling. They can use cruise missiles and other precision-guided munitions.
Why Was This Joint Flight Significant?
This exercise signifies the growing military cooperation between Russia and China. Although they do not have a formal defense treaty, their military collaboration has increased over the years. Since their first strategic bomber patrol in 2019, joint exercises have become more frequent. This flight near the US marks their closest operation to American territory.
Shen Yi, a professor of international politics at Fudan University in Shanghai, stated, “China’s boosting its capabilities to carry out effective strategic gaming with the US and to maintain strategic stability. As this system continuously improves, it can effectively deter the US.”
When asked if the interception was a case of Russia and China "testing" the US, Austin responded that the two countries “are constantly testing us.” The US has previously expressed concerns that the growing cooperation between China and Russia near the Arctic could threaten regional stability.
Reactions
Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan described the flights as an "escalation," urging the US to enhance its military capabilities and infrastructure to counter Russia and China in the Arctic.
Chinese Ministry of National Defence spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang stated that this was the eighth strategic air cruise organized by the two militaries since 2019 and emphasized that the operation did not target any third party, was in line with international law and practice, and was unrelated to the current international and regional situation.
According to the US Naval Institute, the Russian Ministry of Defence referred to Wednesday’s flight location as a new area of joint operations, suggesting that regular activities in the North Pacific and Bering Sea near US territory are planned.
