A close encounter between a Russian Su-35 fighter jet and a U.S. F-16 occurred near Alaska, leading to concerns about unsafe and unprofessional conduct by the Russian military.
Endangering Both Crews
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) released video footage of the incident, showing the Su-35 coming dangerously close to the American jet during an intercept of a Russian bomber.
According to General Gregory Guillot, commander of NORAD, the Russian pilot’s maneuver endangered both crews and lacked professionalism.
The interception happened as part of routine monitoring of Russian military flights near Alaska, where NORAD regularly detects Russian aircraft in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
While the Russian planes remained in international airspace and did not violate U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace, the proximity of the Su-35 to the U.S. jet raised alarms.
Military Forces in Alaska
This incident follows a broader pattern of increased Russian and Chinese military exercises in the region.
Recently, the U.S. deployed military forces to Alaska for enhanced protection as a response to the rising military activity. Despite these heightened tensions, NORAD has emphasized that these flights are not seen as an immediate threat but are being closely monitored.
The Russian military’s increased presence near Alaska has led to several interceptions in recent months, with NORAD reporting multiple such occurrences in September 2024 alone.
