Russian Tupolev Tu-95 planes patroled neutral skies near Alaska on Wednesday, March 26, 2008.
Photo: Reuters
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Russia’s Tu-95s Neared Alaska
Two Tu-95 air force bombers of Russia flew 500 miles away from Alaska’s coast, spokesmen of the U.S. Air Force announced Wednesday.
Two F-15 jets took off from Alaska base once the radars saw the Russians. The U.S. fighters were escorting the bombers while they were close to the U.S. air borders and returned to the base afterwards. No accidents were reported.
No details were given and the time when Tu-95 flights neared Alaska is yet unknown. According to official reports of Russia’s Air Force, they made their last flights March 10, 2008 during the Atlantic exercise.
After the break of 15 years, Russia resumed the practice of flying regular patrols in August of 2007. The NATO fighters escort Russia’s bombers nearly in all flights in the neutral air.
The U.S. jets previously took off to intercept the Russians February 10, 2008. At that time, Tu-95s participated in the Pacific Ocean’s exercise and flew 600 meters above the vessels accompanying Nimitz aircraft carrier.
www.kommersant.com
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