Russian and Chinese bombers conducted a joint patrol at the junction of the Asian and American continents, not far from the US state of Alaska, without violating foreign airspace, according to Moscow, or targeting “a third party,” according to Beijing.
The aircraft were intercepted by U.S. and Canadian aircraft, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
According to a statement by the Russian Defense Ministry, “a group consisting of TU-95MS strategic bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces and Xian H-6K strategic bombers of the Chinese Air Force carried out a joint patrol over the Chukchi Sea, the Bering Sea and the northern part of the Pacific Ocean.”
China, for its part, said that this joint patrol with Russia near Alaska was not aimed at “a third party”.
“This action does not target any third party, is in line with international law and has nothing to do with the current international and regional situation,” said Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for China’s defense ministry, adding that the patrol “tests and improves the level of cooperation between the two air forces.”
The Russian ministry said that “foreign government fighters” had accompanied the group “on certain stages of the journey” and that the patrol had lasted more than five hours.
“During the flight, the Russian and Chinese crews, in a new area of joint operations, worked out issues related to cooperation at all stages of an air patrol,” the Russian ministry said.
Earlier, NORAD, a joint venture between Canada and the United States, said American and Canadian fighters had spotted and intercepted two Russian TU-95s and two Chinese H-6s.
The bombers “did not enter U.S. or Canadian airspace” and their activity was “not considered a threat,” NORAD added.
Interceptions of Russian aircraft are relatively frequent in this area. Moscow and Beijing, allies against the West, now regularly carry out this type of joint exercise in other areas of the Pacific.
Strategic bombers are capable of delivering nuclear and conventional strikes over long distances.
Russia said on Sunday it had dispatched fighter jets to prevent two US strategic bombers from crossing its border over the Barents Sea in the Arctic.
The Pentagon had warned on Monday against increased cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic, while climate change opens the region to increased competition for shipping routes and resources.
Moscow and Beijing, allies who have further strengthened their ties since Russia’s assault on Ukraine, have a shared ambition to counter American influence in Europe and Asia.