austraveller2017-05-04 17:40:23

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-air-force-intercepts-russian-bombers-fighter-jets-near-alaska/

WASHINGTON -- U.S. fighter jets intercepted several Russian warplanes near U.S. airspace off the coast of Alaska Wednesday, the latest in a series of interactions between U.S. and Russian air patrols.

U.S. officials confirmed the intercept to CBS News national security correspondent David Martin, calling the interaction safe and professional. The officials said the Russian planes did not violate U.S. air space.

The warplanes included two Russian TU-95 "Bear" bombers, the same type of bomber that participated in previous flights near Alaska in late April. The bombers were escorted for the first time by two SU-35 Russian fighter jets, Martin reports. U.S. officials had observed the planes the day before at a staging base in Siberia. 

Fox News first reported the latest intercept, which began around 9 p.m. Wednesday. U.S. Air Force F-22 stealth fighter jets flying a nearby mission intercepted the Russian planes, according to Fox News.