US and Canada Intercept Russian and Chinese Bomber Jets Near Alaska

Russian and Chinese jets conducted a joint patrol near the United States' Alaska, with Moscow and Beijing stating that the operation was not directed against any "third party". The patrol involved Russian Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers and Chinese Xian H-6 strategic bombers, which flew over the Chukchi and Bering Seas and the north Pacific Ocean. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) intercepted the bombers in international airspace near Alaska, but stated that they were not seen as a threat. The incident comes as Russia and China have increased cooperation in the Arctic region. Some sources note that the patrol was a significant display of military cooperation between the two countries, while others emphasize that the operation was routine and did not violate any foreign airspace.