U.S. intercepts Russian, Chinese bombers off Alaskan coast

SUMMARY

The U.S. military intercepted several Russian and Chinese bombers in international airspace near Alaska's coast on Wednesday. Two Russian Tu-95s and two Chinese H-6s entered the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) statement confirmed. The bombers, which did not enter U.S. airspace, were detected and intercepted by U.S. F-16 and F-35 jets, along with Canadian CF-18s. This marks the first joint incursion by Russian and Chinese aircraft into the Alaska ADIZ, and the first appearance of Chinese H-6s off Alaska. Although the ADIZ is international airspace, it requires identification for national security. NORAD noted the activity did not pose a threat. This follows increased military activity in the Arctic, including U.S. intercepts of Russian aircraft and heightened operations by Russia and China in the region.