US warplanes intercept Russian bombers close to Alaska

United States Airforce jetplanes have intercepted two Russian bombers in the international airspace close to the northern US state of Alaska.

The two Russian Tupolev Tu-95 combat bombers were intercepted by F-16 warplanes after "entering and operating within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)," the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said in a statement on Tuesday.

Despite the escalated tensions between the US and Russia over the Ukraine crisis, NORAD said the Russian bombers' flight in the area was not seen as a threat.

"NORAD tracks and positively identifies foreign military aircraft that enter the ADIZ," and "routinely monitors foreign aircraft movements and as necessary, escorts them from the ADIZ," the statement said.

Monitoring air traffic in the ADIZ zone gives US forces additional time to react in case other countries aim to conduct the military flights in the United States.

Media reported that Russia holds annual nuclear exercises around this time of year.

The Russian exercise called Grom, which roughly translates into thunder, is conducted every year, according to the US. “We anticipate the exercise will span several days. It’ll include actions within the normal bounds of what Russia has done in the past. It’ll include live missile launches and deployment of strategic assets,” said John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council.

The Pentagon and the US intelligence community are watching for any unexpected or unusual movements of Moscow’s nuclear weapons during Russia’s exercise, which is expected to take place before the end of the month, according to several US officials.

“We believe that Russian nuclear rhetoric and its decision to proceed with this exercise while at war with Ukraine is irresponsible. Brandishing nuclear weapons to coerce the United States and its allies is irresponsible,” a senior defense official told CNN.

On Monday, NATO member states began an annual nuclear exercise known as Steadfast Noon, with the US among the 14 nations participating. It’s been conducted annually for over a decade, according to the Pentagon.

The exercise includes fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads but there will be no live weapons aboard. The US will provide B-52 bombers flying from Minot Air Base in North Dakota. The major exercise area will be more than 625 miles from Russia. The goal is to ensure NATO’s nuclear deterrent remains “credible, effective, safe and secure” the defense official said.

According to NATO, there will be up to 60 aircraft involved including advanced fighter jets, surveillance and tanker aircraft. Flights will take place over Belgium, the UK, and the North Sea.

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