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Russia and China Conduct Joint Military Exercise Near Alaska
Explore the implications of the recent joint military exercise conducted by Russia and China near Alaska. This strategic maneuver raises questions about regional security and international relations between these powers and the U.S.
Russia and China’s Joint Military Exercise Near Alaska
In a significant demonstration of their deepening military collaboration, Russia and China conducted a joint patrol exercise involving strategic bombers in close proximity to Alaska. This operation marks the first instance of joint air drills being executed in this particular region, serving as a pointed message to Washington regarding their strengthened military ties.
On Wednesday, two Russian Tu-95 bombers, accompanied by two Chinese Xian H-6 bombers, conducted flights over the Chukchi and Bering seas, with Russian fighter jets escorting them throughout the mission. According to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry, the entire operation lasted over five hours. The ministry emphasized that during this flight, the crews from both nations practiced coordination at all stages of their air patrol in this new area designated for joint operations.
The Russian Defense Ministry further clarified that the exercise was “not directed against third countries,” attempting to downplay any aggressive intentions. However, the operation did prompt a response from the United States and Canada, which scrambled their fighter jets to perform an intercept maneuver—essentially flying alongside the foreign aircraft as a show of defense.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin addressed the media at a Pentagon news conference, stating that the aircraft were “closely monitored” during their flight and confirmed that they “didn’t enter our airspace.” He noted that the closest approach of the Russian and Chinese bombers was approximately 200 miles off the U.S. coast.
This joint military exercise, featuring bombers capable of carrying nuclear missiles, occurs at a time when President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia is actively seeking to enhance military cooperation with China. This partnership serves as a strategic signal to the West, indicating that Russia will not succumb to isolation following its invasion of Ukraine. Beyond this exercise, Putin has also engaged in various joint military drills and has facilitated the sale of Russian arms to China, while increasingly relying on a steady influx of dual-use goods from China to support his ongoing war efforts.