Russia stated on Wednesday that two of its Tu-95MC strategic bombers traversed airspace near the U.S. state of Alaska, emphasizing that they remained within international boundaries.
The Tu-95s, commonly referred to as Bears by NATO, maintained flight for approximately 9 hours, accompanied by SU-30SM fighter jets. They journeyed over the Bering and Chukchi Seas, as disclosed by Russia’s defense ministry.
“The flight was carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace,” remarked Lt. Gen. Sergei Kobylash, Commander of Russian long-range aviation.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported detecting four Russian military aircraft within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
“The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace,” NORAD confirmed in a statement.
President Vladimir Putin reinstated the Soviet-era practice in 2007 of dispatching strategic bombers on routine patrols beyond Russia’s borders.
The four-engine Tu-95, featuring contrarotating propellers, serves as the Russian counterpart to the American B-52.
