US, Canada fighter jets intercept Russian and Chinese bombers near Alaska

NORAD says the bombers were not seen as a threat and China and Russia have confirmed that they conducted a joint air patrol over the Bearing Sea which divides Alaska and Russia.

“This was not a surprise to us, we closely monitored the aircraft, tracked the aircraft and intercepted the aircraft which demonstrates that our forces are at the ready,” said U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin on Thursday.

“As to whether our adversaries are testing us at this time — they’re always testing us,” Austin said.