Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers flew near Alaska. NORAD confirmed the detection and escort of the aircraft

“The duration of the flight was over 11 hours. The strategic bombers were accompanied by Su-30SM fighter jets of the Aerospace Forces”it is stated in a press release of the ministry, taken over by the Interfax agency.

According to the data presented by the representatives of the ministry, “on certain portions of the flight path, the strategic bombers were escorted by fighter jets of some foreign states”.

“Long-range aviation pilots regularly perform flights over the neutral waters of the Arctic Ocean, the North Atlantic Ocean, the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Pacific Ocean, in strict accordance with the international rules for the use of airspace”also specified the representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The flight of the Russian bombers was also confirmed by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). In a statement posted on social media, NORAD reported that on 02 May 2024, four Russian military aircraft were detected and tracked while operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

NORAD representatives stated that the Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter the sovereign airspace of the US and Canada. They noted that Russian aircraft activities are regularly conducted in Alaska’s ADIZ and do not pose a threat.

However, several users on social networks appreciated that, through these flights, Russia is actually warning the US. Thus, the Russian side uses this form of war against its military and political opponents, which is called “war in the gray zone”.

Author’s Comment: The Zvezda TV station of the Russian Ministry of Defense presented a short video material regarding the mission performed by the Russian strategic bombers. (Video)

From its analysis it follows that one of the Tu-95MS aircraft used for the flight near Alaska was the one with the red board number 41. The aircraft belongs to the 79th Bombardment Aviation Regiment – Ukrainka (Amur Region) within the 326th Bombardment Aviation – Ukrainka Division of Long-Range Aviation (Strategic Aviation).

The video also shows an F-16 fighter jet, probably belonging to the US Air Force, and a Russian Su-30SM aircraft (flight number 17 red).

The flight of Russian planes started at night and ended during the day of May 2.

It should be noted that the patrol mission of the Russian Aerospace Forces was announced first by NORAD and later by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Considering that the flight lasted more than 11 hours, this is normal, because according to customs, the Russian side does not refer to ongoing missions. Ministry of Defense press releases are published only after the planes involved have landed at permanent deployment airfields.

DefenseRomania App

Be the first to find out the most important news in the field with the DefenseRomania application. Download the DefenseRomania application from your Android (Play Store) or iOS (App Store) phone and you are always one click away from us

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow DefenseRomania also on Google News