(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — At present, the United States, Russia, and China are each deploying nuclear-capable bombers to airspace near their respective borders.
This highly dangerous action underscores the escalating tensions among these nations, reaching a critical level.
Last week, two U.S. Air Force B-52 “Stratofortress” bombers flew over Finland for the first time before landing in Romania to commence operations there.
These strategic bombers, based at Barksdale Air Force Base, were detected flying over Norway and crossing into Lapland, the northernmost region of Finland, bordering Russia, Sweden, and Norway.
Russia shares approximately a 1,300 km border with Finland.
The presence of American B-52 bombers in Finnish and Romanian airspace followed NATO’s announcement of plans to bolster its defenses in its eastern territories bordering Russia.
During a flight near Russia with NATO fighter jets, the U.S. bombers were intercepted by two Russian fighter jets over the Barents Sea in the Arctic, according to a statement by U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE).
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported deploying MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighters to intercept the approaching U.S. bombers.
“The Russian fighter crews identified the targets as two U.S. Air Force B-52H bombers. Upon the approach of the Russian fighters, the American strategic bombers distanced themselves from Russian airspace,” the statement read.
In a response, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) announced a few days ago that it had detected and intercepted four Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska.
NORAD officials noted this was the first time they had detected and intercepted Russian Tu-95 “Bear” and Chinese H-6 “Xian” bombers operating jointly in airspace near Alaska.
These bombers are capable of carrying various weapons, including nuclear bombs and missiles.
It remains unclear whether the Russian and Chinese bombers were armed during their operation near Alaska, a U.S. territory.
NORAD dispatched fighter jets, including Canadian Air Force F/A-18 Hornets and U.S. Air Force F-35 and F-16 jets, to intercept and escort the Russian and Chinese bombers.
The Russian Ministry of Defense released a video showing their bombers and those of China being approached by Canadian and U.S. fighter jets within Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
The four Russian and Chinese bombers remained in international airspace within the ADIZ throughout their flight and did not pose a threat, according to NORAD.
The bombers did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace.
“This is the first time in history that Chinese H-6 bombers have entered Alaska’s ADIZ,” U.S. and Canadian defense officials were quoted by CNN as saying.
Alaska, the northernmost U.S. state in North America, has waters bordering the Bering Strait.
It is the closest U.S. territory to Russia, with Little Diomede Island (U.S.) just about 4 km from Big Diomede Island (Russia).
China’s Ministry of Defense stated that its air force and Russia conducted joint strategic patrols in the Bering Sea as part of their existing annual military cooperation.
According to spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang, this was the eighth joint flight since 2019, aiming to continue testing and enhancing cooperation between the two militaries.
The move is also intended to deepen strategic trust and practical cooperation between the two nations.
“This action does not target any third party, complies with international law and norms, and is unrelated to the current international and regional situation,” Zhang stated. — DSA