Two F-22 fighters intercepted several Russian planes that were flying near Alaska this week. According to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), American and Canadian F-22 fighter jets were sent to intercept two Russian Mig-31 fighter jets on Wednesday. The following day Canadian fighter jets intercepted two Russian Bear long-range bombers. It is believed that the Russian planes F-22 fighters incident might be connected to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin’s anger over Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko visit to the United States.
This week, a series of incidents lead to Canadian and U.S jets intercepting a total of 8 Russian aircraft near Alaska.
In a press release, issued by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), it was revealed that on Wednesday at 7 p.m. (PST), several Russian war planes were spotted over the Beaufort sea.
According Lt. Col. Michael Jazdyk, a spokesman for NORAD, the Russian planes were later identified as two IL-78 refueling tankers, two Mig-31 fighter jets and two Bear long-range bombers.
The US Air Force immediately sent two F-22 jets to prevent them from continuing to their destination. Jazdyk explained that the planes returned to their base in Russia.
On Thursday at 1:30 a.m, two Canadian CF-18 fighter jets intercepted two long-range bombers flying near the western coast of Alaska.
In both incidents while the Russian planes did enter the Air Defense Identification Zone, they were not in the sovereign airspace of the United States or Canada.
Jazdyk said the F-22 fighters jets were scrambled in order to let the Russian aircraft know that Americans and Canadians see them, “and in case of a threat, to let them know we are there to protect our sovereign airspace.”
Rear Adm. John Kirby who is the Pentagon Press Secretary also commented on the F-22 fighters/Russian planes incidents saying that reconnaissance missions happen very often.
Since 2010, according to military officials, Canadian or American fighters have shadowed more than 50 Russian planes.
CNN claimed that the planes might have ben sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin to let the Obama administration know that he is not pleased by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s visit to America.
Poroshenko has asked the U.S for more military aid to fight Russia.
