On September 23, 2024, a Russian Su-35 fighter jet conducted an aggressive maneuver while intercepting a U.S. F-16 fighter jet over the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The Russian pilot was reportedly ordered to intercept the F-16 as it neared a Russian bomber, most likely a Tu-95 strategic bomber, operating in the area.
The Su-35 approached the F-16 from behind at high speed, passing dangerously close to the American jet in what was described as an “unsafe and unprofessional” maneuver. This behavior, deemed reckless by U.S. Northern Command, posed a risk to both aircraft. The U.S. pilot’s view from the cockpit, later released in a video, shows the Russian jet buzzing dangerously close, causing the F-16 to rock due to turbulence.
Such interactions between Russian and U.S. aircraft in the ADIZ are not unusual, as Russian military planes regularly fly in this zone, testing U.S. air defenses. However, while many intercepts occur without incident, the proximity and aggressiveness of this maneuver have heightened tensions.