Russian jet's dangerous close call with American fighter near Alaska

The footage lasts 15 seconds. It shows two American jets flying calmly, suddenly disrupted by a plane that "jumps out" from behind and flies literally a few feet next to the American fighter jet.

General Gregory Guillot from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command, strongly criticized the Russian pilot's behaviour.

The conduct of one Russian Su-35 was unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered all – not what you’d see in a professional air force - said Guillot, quoted by the Associated Press.

He also added that the American plane reacted according to procedures, performing a "safe and disciplined" routine interception mission.

So far, the Russian embassy has not commented on the incident.

The incident occurred just a few weeks after eight Russian military aircraft and four navy ships, including two submarines, approached Alaska as part of joint Russia-China exercises.

Although none of these aircraft violated U.S. airspace, the American military decided to respond by sending about 130 soldiers and mobile missile launchers to Shemya Island, located about 1,200 miles southwest of Anchorage. The soldiers stationed there for a week before returning to their bases.

It is worth recalling that in July, Russian and Chinese bombers conducted a joint flight over international airspace near Alaska for the first time. This move was then seen as a symbol of growing cooperation between the two countries, causing concern among U.S. authorities, including Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

In 2022, an American Coast Guard vessel, patrolling about 85 miles north of Kiska Island in the Bering Sea, encountered a formation of three Chinese and four Russian naval units.

Senator Dan Sullivan, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, expressed concerns about escalating actions from Russia in his statement. He emphasized that the manoeuvres of Russian pilots close to American jets stationed in Alaska are further evidence of growing aggression.

The reckless and unprofessional maneuvers of Russian fighter pilots — within just a few feet of our Alaska-based fighters — in Alaska’s ADIZ on September 23 put the lives of our brave Airmen at risk and underscore the escalating aggression we’re witnessing from dictators like Vladimir Putin – said Sullivan.

This close encounter between the Russian Su-35 and the American F-16 once again draws attention to the rising tensions in the Arctic region, which is becoming an increasingly strategic field of rivalry between global powers.