Military officials have released dramatic new footage of a dangerous encounter that occurred on September 23, 2024, involving a Russian Su-35 fighter jet and a U.S. Air Force F-16 near Alaska. The video, made public on September 30, shows the Russian aircraft flying perilously close to the U.S. fighter, prompting strong condemnation from military leaders and raising concerns about escalating tensions in the region.
The video captures the Russian jet approaching rapidly and flying just feet away from the F-16, which was conducting a routine intercept under the guidance of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). The incident lasted only seconds but highlighted significant safety concerns.
General Gregory Guillot, commander of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, labeled the maneuver as “unsafe and unprofessional,” emphasizing that such actions jeopardize the safety of all involved. He stated, “This is not behavior one would expect from a professional air force.”
This incident is part of a broader pattern of Russian military activity in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), which has seen an uptick in incursions over recent months. NORAD reported that Russian military aircraft were detected multiple times in September alone, with four separate incursions occurring between September 11 and September 15.
In response to heightened Russian activity, approximately 130 U.S. troops were deployed to Shemya Island, located about 1,200 miles southwest of Anchorage, along with mobile rocket launchers. This deployment coincided with joint military exercises conducted by Russia and China in the region.
The recent military maneuvers included eight Russian aircraft and four naval vessels—two of which were submarines—operating near Alaska. Although these aircraft did not enter U.S. airspace, their proximity has raised alarms among U.S. defense officials.
U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, a Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the actions of the Russian pilots and called for an increased military presence in Alaska and the Arctic region.
He stated, “The reckless and unprofessional actions of Russian fighter pilots endanger our courageous Airmen and highlight the growing aggression we are witnessing from authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin.”
The frequency of Russian incursions into the ADIZ has been increasing over recent years. NORAD noted that while there were typically six or seven incursions annually, this number has surged recently—26 instances were recorded last year alone.
In July 2023, a joint flight involving Russian and Chinese bombers marked a significant escalation in military cooperation between the two nations near Alaska. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed concerns about this development, indicating that it could have strategic implications for U.S. interests in the region.
