Jordan Daily – President Vladimir Putin announced on Sunday that Russia’s recent patrol flights in international airspace are a direct response to heightened activity by US aircraft near Russian airspace and in regions deemed “sensitive” by Moscow.
Last Wednesday, Russian and Chinese bombers undertook joint air patrols over the Chukchi and Bering Seas, as well as the North Pacific, approaching the coast of Alaska. Although the aircraft did not enter US airspace, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed Washington’s concern over the development.
Austin noted that this event marked the first instance of Chinese nuclear-capable bombers flying within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone and the first time Chinese and Russian jets launched from the same base in northeastern Russia.
Speaking at the annual Navy Day parade in St. Petersburg, Putin emphasized that Russia has been conducting patrols in international airspace since 2007. He stated, “This was our response to the increased activity of US strategic and reconnaissance aviation in regions of the world that Russia considers sensitive. This measure is aimed, among other things, at ensuring security in the Asia-Pacific region.” Putin added that the increased US activity necessitated these patrols.
Russian aircraft frequently conduct patrol flights near US airspace and monitor US and NATO flights near Russian borders. In recent years, Russia has dispatched jets to escort fighters and bombers of NATO member states away from its borders on numerous occasions.
As strategic allies, Russia and China regularly conduct joint patrols over the Asia-Pacific region. The exercise conducted last week was the eighth joint air strategic patrol by the two nations since 2019, according to Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Zhang stressed that the operation was “not directed at any third party.” The Russian Defense Ministry affirmed that the patrol was conducted in accordance with international law.
