The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracked two Chinese and two Russian long-range bombers flying over international waters near Alaska, prompting the US and Canada to deploy fighter jets in response, AP News reports.
The joint air patrol, confirmed by China and Russia, was conducted over the Bering Sea and lasted over five hours. The patrol, which included H-6 and Tu-95 bombers, was the eighth joint strategic air patrol since 2019, aimed at improving coordination between the two nations’ air forces. The Russian Defense Ministry released photos showing the bombers and escorts. NORAD noted the activity as not threatening but will continue monitoring.
Japan has expressed concerns about these joint drills, viewing them as a potential regional security threat. Additionally, China’s naval activity near Alaska has also increased recently, with China describing their presence as routine training.
