The United States intercept Russian bombers and fighter planes off the coast of Alaska

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Long-range bombers with Russian nuclear capabilities have entered the Air Defense Identification Zone, which extends about 200 miles off the west coast of Alaska.

US military authorities consider Russian bombing flights as part of Moscow's efforts to train its army for a potential crisis while sending a message of strength to the adversaries.

This last intercepted conversation comes amidst tensions with Russia over a large number of geopolitical issues. A week later, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Russian Vladimir Putin in the seaside resort of Sochi, where he warned Russia against interference in the US elections. President Donald Trump on the issue.

US fighter planes and an E-3 Airborne Command and Control Airborne Warning System from North America "identified and intercepted a total of four Tupolev Tu-95 bombers and two fighter aircraft Su-35 entering the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on May 20, "NORAD said in a statement.

"Two of the Russian bombers were intercepted by two F-22s, and a second group of Su-35 aircraft bombers were later intercepted by two more F-22s, while the E-3 provided global surveillance," said NORAD, adding that "Russian bombers and fighters have remained in the international airspace and the aircraft has at no time penetrated the sovereign airspace of the United States or Canada ".
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The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed this incident in a tweet on Tuesday, saying the Tu-95 "bombers were making scheduled sorties over the neutral waters of the Chukotka, Bering and Okhotsk Seas, as well as the along the west coast of Alaska and the north coast of the island, the Aleutian Islands. "

"At certain stages of the route, Russian planes were escorted by #USAF fighter aircraft # F22.The total flight time exceeded 12 hours," the ministry added.

US officials said Russian bombers and planes have been flying in the area several times a year in recent years and have been similarly intercepted by US and Canadian planes operating under NORAD.

"NORAD's top priority is to stand up for Canada and the US Our ability to deter and counter threats to our citizens, vital infrastructure and national institutions begins with detection, monitoring and surveillance. Positive identification of aircraft of interest approaching US and Canadian airspace, "Gen Terrence J. O. Shaughnessy, the commander of NORAD, said in a statement.

"Patrols conducted by Russian military aircraft off the coast of the United States and Canada have become increasingly complex in recent years," said O. Shaughnessy in a written testimony submitted to Congress this month -this.

He wrote that bomber patrols constituted a "highly visible" message intended to "highlight Russia's capabilities" and to "train a new generation of aircrew", adding that "the fighter plane NORAD routinely intercepted Russian air force missions inside the US and Canadian Air Defense Forces, identification areas, and there was no indication that Russian leaders intended to reduce the number of these missions in the near future. "

In January, an American E-3 aircraft, two F-22 fighter jets and two Canadian CF-18 fighter aircraft also "positively identified" two Russian strategic Tu-160 Blackjack bombers entering the Air Defense Identification Zone of the United States. Canada.

NORAD is responsible for patrolling the airspace and air defense areas of the United States and Canada.

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