On July 24, 2024, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) issued a press release saying that it had intercepted Russian and Peoples Republic Of China (PRC) aircraft in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).[1] NORAD noted that the planes had not violated American or Canadian sovereign airspace and that it did not perceive the aircrafts as a threat. The press release came ahead of President Biden's oval office address stating that he would be withdrawing from the 2024 Presidential Election. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that Russia and the PRC had conducted a joint air patrol that was not aimed against any other countries.
The Telegram channel of the Russian Defence Ministry posted on July 25 a statement on the joint patrol and a short video.[2] According to the statement, an air group consisting of Russian Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers and Xi'an H-6 strategic bombers of the PRC's Air Forces conducted air patrols over the waters of the Chukchi and Bering Seas, and the northern part of the Pacific Ocean. In addition, Su-30sm[3] and Su-35s[4] aircraft from the Russian Aerospace Forces gave the group cover. The patrol lasted about five hours.
The Russian Defence Ministry statement notes that "during certain stages of the [patrol] route, the air group was escorted by fighter jets of foreign countries." The video accompanying the post shows unidentified jets filmed from the Tu-95MS, in addition to the preparation and launch of the Russian missile carriers and aerial refuelling.
Regarding the route, the Russian ministry stressed that "the aircraft of both countries operated strictly in accordance with the provisions of international law" and did not violate the airspace of foreign states. It is also noted that the patrol was conducted within the two countries' plan for military cooperation in 2024 and "is not aimed against third countries."
Click here or below to view the Russian Defense Ministry video of the Russian-Chinese joint air patrol.
Following are images from the video:
[1] Norad.mil/Newsroom/Press-Releases/Article/3849184/norad-detects-tracks-and-intercepts-russian-and-prc-aircraft-operating-in-the-a, July 24, 2024.
[2] T.me/mod_russia/41364, July 25, 2024.
[3] Su-30Ssm (serial production, modernized), equipped with AL-31FP engines with controlled thrust vector.
[4] The Su-35s is a "4++" generation modernized variant of Su35 multifunctional fighter.
