menu-control
The Jerusalem Post

Russia: Two strategic bombers flew near Alaska, did not enter US airspace

 
A Russian Su-27 military aircraft dumps fuel while flying by a US Air Force MQ-9 "Reaper" drone over the Black Sea, March 14, 2023 in this still image taken from handout video released by the Pentagon.  (photo credit: Courtesy of US European Command/The Pentagon/Handout via REUTERS)
A Russian Su-27 military aircraft dumps fuel while flying by a US Air Force MQ-9 "Reaper" drone over the Black Sea, March 14, 2023 in this still image taken from handout video released by the Pentagon.
(photo credit: Courtesy of US European Command/The Pentagon/Handout via REUTERS)

In 2007, Russian President Vladimir Putin revived the Soviet-era practice of sending strategic bombers on regular patrols beyond Russia's borders.

Russia said on Wednesday that two of its Tu-95MC strategic bombers flew over waters near the US state of Alaska but said they stayed in international airspace.

The Tu-95s, known as Bears by NATO, flew for about 9 hours, escorted by SU-30SM fighter jets. They flew over the Bering and Chukchi Seas, Russia's defense ministry said.

"The flight was carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace," said Lieutenant General Sergei Kobylash, Commander of Russian long–range aviation.

Russian aircraft detected

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said that it had detected four Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Advertisement

"The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace," NORAD said in a statement.

President Vladimir Putin in 2007 revived the Soviet-era practice of sending strategic bombers on regular patrols beyond Russia's borders.

The four-engine Tu-95 with contrarotating propellers is the Russian counterpart to the American B-52.

×
Email:
×
Email: