Russian and Chinese nuclear-capable strategic bombers patrolled near the U.S. state of Alaska in the North Pacific and Arctic on Thursday, prompting the United States

and Canada to scramble fighter jets, according to statements from both countries.

The patrol involved Russian Tu-95MS "Bear" strategic bombers and Chinese Xi'an H-6 strategic bombers over the Chukchi and Bering seas and the North Pacific, Russia's defense ministry reported.

"During the flight, Russian and Chinese crews cooperated in the new area of joint operations during all stages of the air patrol," the Russian ministry stated. It noted that at certain points, the air group was accompanied by fighters from other countries.

The five-hour flight saw the bombers escorted by Russian Sukhoi Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters. Russia confirmed that no foreign airspace was violated.

The U.S. military's North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported that U.S. and Canadian fighter jets intercepted the Russian and Chinese aircraft in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

"The Russian and Chinese aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace," NORAD stated. "This activity in the Alaska ADIZ is not seen as a threat, and NORAD will continue to monitor competitor activity near North America and meet presence with presence."

A spokesperson for China's defense ministry remarked that the joint patrol had deepened strategic mutual trust and coordination between the two militaries and clarified that it "had nothing to do with the current international situation."

Russia emphasized that the patrol was part of the implementation of the 2024 military cooperation plan and was not directed against any third countries. Photo by 日本防衛省・統合幕僚監部, Wikimedia commons.