Russia flew two nuclear-capable Tu-95ms bombers, accompanied by fighter jets Su-35s and Su-30sm, over neutral waters near Alaska. The flight, which was not seen by the US as a threat, lasted for 15 hours.
The four-engine, long-range Tupolev Tu-95ms, with NATO code name 'Bear-H', is the world’s only turbopropeller-powered bomber. This bomber, designed during the Cold War, has been one of the main strategic aircraft of Russia for almost half a century. Equipped with four NK-12MP turboprop engines, each producing 15,000 horsepower, the bomber is currently in service with the Russian Air Force.
The aircraft took off at night, refuelled in mid-air during the day, and landed at an undisclosed airfield, according to a video released by Russian defence ministry.
“Long-range aviation pilots regularly fly over the neutral waters of the Arctic, the North Atlantic, the Black and Baltic seas, as well as the Pacific Ocean,” the Russian military has been quoted as saying.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said it detected and tracked four Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone on Tuesday.
NORAD said the Russian action was not perceived as a threat as it occurs regularly. The aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace.
"NORAD employs a layered defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars and fighter aircraft to detect and track aircraft and inform appropriate actions. NORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America," a statement from the Command read.