Rossiyskaya Gazeta reports that the command of the aerospace defense of North America confirmed the interception of two Russian Tu-95MS bombers by American F-22 fighters. ABC News reported, referring to a representative of the command, that the rapprochement occurred on Monday, April 17 in the airspace near Alaska, about 160 kilometers south of Kodiak Island.

At the same time, the American official noted that Russian aircraft did not violate the US borders and remained in the international airspace. However, they were within the so-called recognition zone of the air defense of the US Armed Forces, stretching about 300 kilometers from the American borders. It is noted that the US Armed Forces monitor this space in the interests of national security, requiring all aircraft to identify themselves and notify the course. A representative of the command did not specify whether Russian aircraft fulfilled this requirement.

It is reported that two F-22 fighters and an early warning radar E-3 Sentry were sent to intercept the bombers, which then accompanied the Russian Tu-95s until they left the air defense identification zone. According to the command, this is the first approach of Russian aircraft to the coast of Alaska since the summer of 2015.

The Russian Defense Ministry said at the same time that the two bombers had successfully completed the tasks of air patrolling over the neutral waters of the Pacific Ocean, while respecting all international norms.