U.S. Military officials have released the video of an incident where a Russian fighter jet was near Alaska. The Russian fighter jet can be seen flying close in between two U.S. fighter jets.
The incident occurred on September 23, 2024. The North American Aerospace Defense Command observed a Russian fighter jet flying into the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone which is beyond the U.S. sovereign air space. This incident is one of a series of incidents where Russian military planes and naval vessels were close to the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone recently.
Just weeks ago, there were eight Russian military planes and four Russian naval vessels, which two were submarines, was within miles of Alaska. Both China and Russia were doing joint military practice operations at that time. None of the Russian military planes breached the U.S. airspace. Over 130 U.S. soldiers were deployed with mobile rocket launchers to the Shemya Island. Shemya Island is about 1,200 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska.
In July, both China and Russian bombers flew in cooperation close to Alaska in international airspace. The intent was to show that the China and Russian militaries are in cooperation and allies with each other which U.S. Defense officials say is a concern.
On September 23, The North American Aerospace Defense Command sent U.S. fighter jets to intercept the Russian fighter jet. The Russian fighter just in seen on video coming from behind the two U.S. fighter jets and flying within feet in between the U.S. fighter jets.
General Gregory Guillot who is a commander of the U.S. Northern Command and Norad said “The conduct of one Russian Su-35 was unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered all. Not what you’d see in a professional air force. The U.S. fighter jets flew a safe and disciplined routine to intercept the Russian aircraft.”
U.S. Officials have sent a message to the Russian Embassy seeking a comment. However, the Russian Embassy has not yet commented on the incident.
Video Courtesy of the AP YouTube Channel
