Russian military aircraft entered the Alaska air defense identification area and were intercepted by US fighter jets, backed by refueling aircraft, CNN quoted NORAD as saying.
During the first encounter, NORAD said two Russian bomb attack aircraft, two Russian fighter jets, and one aircraft with an early warning and overhead control system could not approach nearly 37km from the coast of Alaska.
There were 2 bombs and 1 aircraft with early warning and air control systems approaching a range of about 60km in the second encounter.
Fox News reported that Russia's first formation includes two Tu-95 bombers, two Su-35 fighter jets and an A-50 warning and early control aircraft. The second formation of Russia includes two Tu-95 bombers with the support of the A-50.
"Russian military aircraft are still in international airspace and have never entered US sovereign airspace," NORAD stressed.
In both encounters between Russian and US aircraft, the North American Space Defense Command has deployed F-22 Raptor fighters, with the support of KC-135 Stratotankers transport aircraft and E-3 control and warning aircraft.
General Terrence J. O' Shaughnessy, commander of NORAD, said on May 10 that "the interception of many Russian aircraft demonstrates the readiness and ability of NORAD forces to defend the fatherland."
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry released a video of the interception on its official Facebook page showing the US Air Force F-22 flying with the Russian plane, according to ABC News.
"The flight lasted about 11 hours.... At some sections of the route, Russian aircraft were escorted by US F-22 fighters," the Russian Defense Ministry said.
The Russian statement also stated the grounds for the Russian bombards' takeoffs in this operation in eastern Russia. Russia did not specify the distance the two sides' aircraft could reach, but stressed that in May, "US air force strategic bombs conducted flights along the Russian border five times".
"Russian military aircraft in all flights must strictly comply with international rules and not violate the airspace of other countries," the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Since Russia does not have Tu-95 bombers in eastern Russia, bombers flying flights near Alaska have flown to bases in western and central Russia to carry out this mission.
In March, fighter jets of the US and Canada intercepted two Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying off the coast of Alaska. There were also several interceptions involving Russian military aircraft off the coast of Alaska in 2019.
