Alaska – Air Force Intercepts Russian Bombers, Fighter Jets Off Alaska

Alaska – Two Russian bombers escorted by Su-35 “Flanker” fighter jets entered the Alaskan Air Defense Zone Thursday morning. US Air Force Stealth aircraft reportedly intercepted the Russian formation during a patrol.

This is the first time that the advanced Russian jets have escorted Russian bombers near Alaska.

Officials reported that the Russian jets remained in international airspace and were unarmed.

In April, Russian bombers flew, for the first time since 2014, over four consecutive days near Alaska.

The Cold War-era concept of the Air Defense Zone regards an area publicly-defined beyond sovereign territory in which it is permitted to interrogate and, if necessary, intercept unidentified aircraft.

These zone tend to extend into international airspace.