The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) released video of the moment when a Russian jet came dangerously close to a U.S. Air Force F-16 in the airspace off Alaska’s coast last week.
A U.S. senator from Alaska later said the Russian jet came “within just a few feet” of the American plane.
The video, released Monday, shows the Russian aircraft flying up from behind the U.S. fighter jet and buzzing by its nose. The American pilot appears to swerve out of the way in surprise.
General Gregory Guillot, the commander of NORAD, called the stunt “unsafe” and “unprofessional,” and said the pilot of the Russian Su-35 jet had “endangered all” parties involved.
“On Sept 23, 2024, NORAD aircraft flew a safe and disciplined intercept of Russian Military Aircraft in the Alaska ADIZ. The conduct of one Russian Su-35 was unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered all – not what you’d see in a professional air force.” – Gen. Gregory Guillot pic.twitter.com/gXZj3Ndkag
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