Two Russian bombers fly near Alaska. US jets scramble

DEBKAfile was founded by a team of journalists in June 2000 as an independent Internet Web site, providing an intelligence and security news service. April 18, 2017, 6:32 PM (IDT)

A pair of Russian nuclear-capable Tu-95 “Bear” bombers flew near Alaska Monday night, coming as close as 100 miles from Kodiak Island, within the US Air Defense Identification Zone  – the first time since President Trump took office that Moscow has sent bombers so close to the US. The US Air Force scrambled two F-22 stealth fighter jets and an E-3 airborne early warning plane to intercept them. They flew alongside the Russian bombers for 12 minutes, before the Russian bombers reversed course and headed back to their base in eastern Russia.

Our unique angle on these subjects – and strong intelligence dimension – has earned DEBKAfile a global reputation and a steady readership – which skyrockets in times of crisis.