A video appeared showing what seems to be a very narrow encounter between a Russian SU-35 flanker and a joint American Air Force F-35A based in Alaska. A variant of the Russian Tu-95 bear bomber is also observed in the images.
The clip, seen in the social media post below, appeared for the first time earlier in the FighterBomber telegram channel, which has links with the Russian aerospace forces. The brief images seem to show the F-35A encroaching on the flanker, ending briefly forward and right, very close to his nose, although it is difficult to be certain. No additional context is provided, and we do not know where or when exactly the video was shot.
The last time the North American Aerospace Defense Command of the United States (NORAD) publicly announced that it has detected and followed Russian military aircraft off the coast of Alaska, which is not a rare event, it was back in February. Norad subsequently published images showing the Air Force F-35AS flying alongside the SU-35 and TU-95 Russians in the international airspace in the Alaska air defense identification area (ADIZ). Neither we nor the Russian authorities seem to have mentioned at that time of an unusually close and / or potentially dangerous maneuver on each side. Such incidents between us and Russian military planes, as well as American and Chinese planes, are hardly unknown, including off Alaska.
Twz contacted Norad for more information.
Whatever the exact context of the meeting between the flanker and the F-35A, there are inherent risks, including a potential collision, when an airplane, not to mention rapid evolution combat jets, fly very close to each other.
As Twz Noted on several occasions in the past, the “non -professional” maneuvers between us and the Soviet planes were commonplace during the Cold War, which continued with the Russians thereafter. China’s air weapons have also become well known for similar practices. At the same time, there has been an increase in this kind of “close meeting” between American planes and their Russian and Chinese counterparts in recent years, both in the American homeland and in other places abroad. These types of meetings can also extend in maritime and terrestrial fields.
Last month, videos also emerged showing a Russian plane IL-38 MARIMIME PATROL BRODONSING THE AVOION OF THE US Navy USS Carl Vinson While he was closely in crochet by an F-35C and a super hornet F / A-18E / F. Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group participated in an exercise with Japanese and South Korean forces in the East Sea (Japan Sea) at the time.
In the Pacific, including around Alaska, Russian and Chinese air forces are also increasingly leading routine operations. A pair of Chinese H-6 cruise missile transport aircraft in China notably piloted its first outings off the Alaska coast last year as part of one of these joint patrols.
In the absence of a major change in Washington’s relationship with Moscow and Beijing, this type of air and maritime activity, and the potential there for close meetings between the parties involved, should only continue.
Update: 21:35 is –
A norad spokesperson has now provided Twz With the following declaration:
“Although we cannot verify the authenticity of the video, Norad recognizes an interception of Russian planes on February 18, 2025. The flight maneuvers of the Russian plane shown in the video are not yet what we expect to see in a professional air force.”
Contact the author: joe@twz.com
