On July 24, NORAD–the North American Air Defense Command–announced that US and Canadian fighters intercepted two Russian TU-95 and two Chinese PLA H-6 bombers operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). “The Russian and PRC aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace,” NORAD said in a statement. “This Russian and PRC activity in the Alaska ADIZ is not seen as a threat, and NORAD will continue to monitor competitor activity near North America and meet presence with presence.”
The next day, the Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement confirming the joint mission. “The aviation group of the Russian Aerospace Forces Tu-95MS and the PLA Air Force H-6K performed an air patrol over the Chukchi Sea, Bering Sea waters and the northern part of the Pacific Ocean,” it said. “During the flight, the Russian and Chinese crews worked out issues of cooperation during all stages of the air patrol in the new area of joint actions.” It noted that Russian Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters provided cover for the bombers. The statement was accompanied by a video, which included a clip showing US F-16 and F-35 aircraft and a Canadian F-18 flying in close formation off the left wing of one of the Tu-95’s. “The patrol was conducted as part of the implementation of the 2024 military cooperation plan and is not directed against third countries,” the statement concluded.
