Russian Su-35 "Chases Away" U.S. F-16 Near Alaska; Unprofessional Act, Says Pentagon

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has reported an incident involving a Russian Su-35 aircraft conducting what it described as "unsafe and unprofessional" maneuvers near a U.S. F-16 fighter over the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on September 23, 2024.

NORAD tracked four Russian aircraft—two Tu-95 Bear bombers and two Su-35S fighters—operating in international airspace within the Alaska ADIZ. The Russian aircraft did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace. NORAD stated that Russian military activities in this area are a regular occurrence and are generally not considered a threat. However, the recent encounter involved a Russian Su-35 performing a maneuver that was described as endangering the U.S. F-16 pilot.

U.S. Air Force General Gregory Guillot, Commander of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, characterized the Russian Su-35's conduct as unsafe. "The conduct of one Russian Su-35 was unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered all—this is not what you’d see in a professional air force," General Guillot said.

The incident was documented in video footage shared by NORAD, showing a U.S. F-16 flying at a distance from a Russian Tu-95 strategic missile carrier. The footage then captured the Su-35 approaching from behind and maneuvering between the Tu-95 and the U.S. aircraft, cutting across the F-16's flight path at close range.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Tu-95MS missile carriers, accompanied by Su-35S and Su-30SM fighters, conducted a scheduled 11-hour flight over the neutral waters of the Bering Sea near the western coast of Alaska. The ministry stated that all flights were carried out in strict accordance with international airspace regulations and that no borders were violated.

NORAD's release of the incident video on September 30 highlights increased concerns over the frequency of “unsafe” encounters involving Russian and Chinese military aircraft. Similar incidents have occurred in recent years, including intercepts involving Russian Su-35s and U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft over different regions.