Watch as Russian fighter jet nearly hits US F-16 near Alaska amid military drills, raises tensions

A Russian Su-35 fighter jet came dangerously close to a US F-16 near Alaska on September 23, as confirmed by newly released video footage from the US military. The incident occurred just beyond US sovereign airspace, within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), where the US routinely monitors and intercepts foreign aircraft that approach its territory. The close encounter drew condemnation from US military officials, who criticized the Russian jet for its unsafe maneuver.

General Gregory Guillot, the commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and US Northern Command, stated that the Russian pilot’s actions were reckless and hazardous. “The conduct of one Russian Su-35 was unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered all – not what you’d see in a professional air force,” Guillot said. He further explained that the US F-16 was flying in a “safe and disciplined” manner as part of routine operations to intercept the Russian aircraft that had entered the ADIZ.



The incident comes on the heels of multiple Russian incursions into the ADIZ in recent weeks. The US has been closely monitoring the situation, especially given the broader context of growing military activity by both Russia and China in the region. While Russian aircraft have not breached US airspace, the increasing frequency of such encounters has raised alarms within the US military.

US Response: Building Military Presence in Alaska

US Senator Dan Sullivan, a Republican and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, highlighted the seriousness of the situation. He emphasized the need to strengthen the US military’s presence in Alaska and the Arctic to counter these aggressive maneuvers. “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,” Sullivan said in a statement.

In response to these provocations, the US has taken steps to bolster its military readiness in the region. In August, about 130 US soldiers, along with mobile rocket launchers, were deployed to Shemya Island, located approximately 1,931 kilometers southwest of Anchorage. The deployment was part of a week-long exercise aimed at deterring further incursions and demonstrating US capability to respond to any threats in the region.

Russia and China’s Growing Military Cooperation

This incident comes amid increasing concerns over military cooperation between Russia and China, both of which have shown growing interest in the Arctic and its strategic significance. In July 2024, Russian and Chinese bombers flew together for the first time in international airspace off Alaska during a joint military drill. These exercises were part of a broader strategic alignment between the two nations, which has caught the attention of US defense officials.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had previously expressed concerns over the Russia-China military partnership, particularly regarding China’s support for Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. “This is a relationship that we have been concerned about throughout — mostly because we’re concerned about China providing support to Russia’s illegal and unnecessary war in Ukraine,” Austin said in a press briefing.

Additionally, earlier military exercises involving both Russian and Chinese forces were observed in 2022 when a US Coast Guard ship discovered a formation of Russian and Chinese naval vessels, including three Chinese and four Russian ships, sailing near Alaska’s Kiska Island. This incident, coupled with the recent joint drills, has raised questions about the long-term strategic goals of both nations in the Arctic region.

US Military Vigilance in the Face of Rising Threats

The US continues to express concerns over the potential threat posed by Russia and China’s military activities in the region. While none of the recent incursions have resulted in the breach of US airspace, the repeated presence of Russian and Chinese forces near Alaska has prompted a more assertive response from the US military.

As tensions escalate, officials in Washington are calling for enhanced military infrastructure and a stronger defense posture in Alaska and the Arctic. Sullivan, in particular, has been a vocal advocate for building up the US military’s capacity in the region, stressing that the situation is becoming increasingly volatile.

The release of the video footage from the September 23 incident serves as a stark reminder of the precarious balance in the region, where US forces must continuously monitor and respond to foreign military activity just beyond their borders. With both Russia and China increasing their presence in the Arctic, the US military remains vigilant, prepared to defend its interests in a region that has taken on heightened geopolitical importance.