Remember when a Russian jet almost rammed into an American fighter plane near U.S. airspace?

The Russian Air Force often tests American readiness with no intention of trying to engage in combat. However, an incident that occurred at the end of September 2024 almost turned into a deadly situation for an American fighter plane escorting Russian military jets near U.S. airspace.

On September 23rd, North American Aerospace Defense Command, more commonly known by its acronym NORAD, detected four Russian military fighter jets operating in Alaska’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ). 

NORAD aircraft intercepted and tracked the Russian aircraft, which did not breach Canadian or American sovereign airspace. However, the jets almost caused an international incident according to NORAD. 

Russian military aircraft regularly fly missions in the Alaska ADIZ, and NORAD reported such flights are not seen as a threat, but the September 23rd encounter was different. A Russian jet put a NORAD pilot at risk. 

While escorting the four Russian military jets, one Su-35 performed what Militarnyi called a “dangerous maneuver” and crossed too close to a U.S. plane, invading its course and almost causing a mid-air collision. 

Photo Credit: Screenshot X @NORADCommand

The encounter was captured on video from the point of view of the American plane involved and it was released by NORAD across its social media channels to illustrate just how dangerous the maneuver was during the interception mission.

Photo Credit: Screenshot X @NORADCommand

Militarnyi noted the Russian fighter jet almost collided with the American plane, and added that the Su-35 created a turbulence zone following its dangerous maneuver, which affected the flight stability of the U.S. jet. 

Photo Credit: Screenshot X @NORADCommand

“On Sept 23, 2024, NORAD aircraft flew a safe and disciplined intercept of Russian Military Aircraft in the Alaska ADIZ,” said General Gregory Guillot, Commander of United States Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command. 

Photo Credit: Screenshot X @NORADCommand

“The conduct of one Russian Su-35 was unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered all – not what you’d see in a professional air force,” Guillot added. Despite the pilot's actions, no one was injured in the encounter. 

Photo Credit: Screenshot X @NORADCommand

NORAD previously detected and tracked Russian military planes operating in Alaska’s ADIZ on September 11th, 13th, 14th, and 15th according to CBS News. 

“The frequency of Russian airplanes entering the zone varies yearly. NORAD has said the average was six or seven a year, but it has increased recently. There were 26 instances last year and 25 so far this year,” CBS News reported. 

Photo Credit: X @NORADCommand

NORAD noted in its statement on the incident that the air defense agency “employs a  layered defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars and fighter aircraft to track aircraft and inform appropriate actions.”

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Photo Credit: X @NORADCommand