By Mary Kay Mallonee, CNN
(CNN) — The North American Aerospace Defense Command says it detected four Russian military aircraft flying near Alaska on Monday, less than two weeks after US Army soldiers were deployed to the area as part of a “force protection operation” amid an increase in Russian and Chinese military exercises in the region.
The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace in Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace, NORAD said in a statement. “This Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat,” the statement said.
NORAD intercepted Russian military aircraft flying near Alaska several times this month.
The Army sent elements of the 11th Airborne Division to Shemya Island, Alaska, on September 12 as a show of “ready, lethal force” in response to Russian military drills in the area, the Army said at the time. The division is known as the Arctic Angels and they are normally stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Fort Wainwright in Alaska.
Though the US deployment is not a sign of a significant escalation in tensions, relations with the US’ two main military adversaries remains fraught, particularly as the Ukraine war continues. Though the Biden administration has worked to resume high-level communications with China, including between military leaders, Beijing remains the US’ major military competitor.
Managing relations with both nations will be a key challenge regardless of whoever wins the presidential election in November.
Republican nominee former President Donald Trump has signaled he will take a different approach to the Biden-Harris administration. He suggested earlier this month that China and Russia are not necessarily adversaries.
“I don’t know that they’re enemies,” Trump said, suggesting that, if elected, “we’ll get along great” with both countries.
CNN’s Natasha Bertrand contributed to this report.
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