The United States has detected Russian military aircraft near Alaska during a routine patrol, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) announced.
Later, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that the country's air force had carried out a planned flight over the international waters of the Bering Sea.
NORAD specified that the Russian aircraft did not enter the sovereign airspace of the United States or Canada, but were detected in a special zone of Alaskan airspace where foreign aircraft are monitored to protect national security.
The exact number or type of aircraft involved in the mission was not specified, but the command emphasized that the actions were not are considered a threat. Such flights are carried out regularly and are closely monitored, the statement said.
According to the Russian ministry, Tu-95MS strategic bombers carried out a 15-hour flight, accompanied by Su-35S and Su-30SM fighters. In-flight refueling was also carried out as part of the mission.
At certain stages of the route, the Russian planes were accompanied by foreign fighters. A video released by the Russian military shows two American F-16s flying close to the bombers.
Moscow stressed that the flights were carried out "in strict accordance with international airspace rules," adding that the country's long-range aviation regularly performs missions over neutral waters in the Arctic, the Pacific Ocean and other regions.
NORAD Command reported that similar flights were detected in April. It also recalls an incident from September last year, when the Pentagon released a video featuring a Russian Su-35, which it said was demonstrating "dangerous and unprofessional behavior" near Alaska.