4 Russian military planes appeared near Alaska

A US F-22 fighter jet intercepted a Russian plane near Alaska (Illustration photo: NORAD).

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said it detected four Russian military aircraft flying near Alaska on September 22, nearly two weeks after US troops were deployed to the region. The deployment is part of a US “force protection operation” amid increased Russian and Chinese military exercises in the region.

The Russian aircraft appeared in international airspace within Alaska's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and did not enter US or Canadian sovereign airspace, NORAD said.

"Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ occurs regularly and is not considered a threat," the statement said.

NORAD has intercepted Russian military aircraft flying near Alaska multiple times this month.

The US Army said the US sent units of the 11th Airborne Division to Shemya Island, Alaska, on September 12 as a show of force in response to Russian military exercises in the region. The division is known as the Arctic Angels and is normally based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Fort Wainwright in Alaska.

US relations with Russia and China have been strained, especially as the conflict in Ukraine continues. Although the Biden administration has made efforts to restore high-level contacts with China, Washington still views Beijing as a military competitor.

Managing relations with both countries will be a major challenge, regardless of who wins the US presidential election in November.

Republican candidate Donald Trump has signaled he will take a different approach to the current administration, stating earlier this month that the US does not necessarily view China and Russia as rivals.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/4-may-bay-quan-su-nga-xuat-hien-gan-alaska-20240924212947101.htm