Russian and Chinese Naval Patrol Operates off the Coast of Alaska
A Russian and Chinese naval patrol consisting of several vessels operated off the coast of Alaska last week, defense officials and lawmakers said over the weekend. This show of force prompted a response from the US military, although it did not pose a threat to the US or Canada, according to a spokesperson from the US Northern Command.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and US Northern Command deployed planes and ships to monitor the Russian and Chinese patrol, which remained in international waters, the spokesperson added.
Alaska’s Republican Senators, Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, released a statement on Saturday confirming that a total of 11 Russian and Chinese vessels had been operating near the Aleutian Islands. In response, four US Navy destroyers were deployed. Murkowski mentioned that she and Sullivan had been in close contact with leadership from Alaska Command and had received detailed classified briefings about the foreign vessels transiting US waters in the Aleutians.
The Chinese Embassy spokesperson, Liu Pengyu, stated that the joint maritime patrols between China and Russia were part of their annual cooperation plan, carried out in the western and northern Pacific Ocean. Pengyu emphasized that the action was not directed at any third party and had no connection to the current international and regional situation.
Senator Sullivan referred to a similar incident last summer when Chinese and Russian vessels came close to Alaska, but were only encountered by a US Coast Guard ship on a routine patrol. Sullivan considered this response inadequate and pressed senior military leaders to be prepared with a more robust response in the future.
Sullivan expressed his satisfaction with the recent deployment of four US Navy destroyers, stating that it sends a strong message to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin that the United States will not hesitate to protect and defend its vital national interests in Alaska.
According to a July US intelligence report, Russia and China have significantly intensified their defense and economic partnership since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The countries have repeatedly pledged to strengthen their military ties.
The presence of Russian and Chinese naval vessels off the coast of Alaska highlights the growing cooperation between these two nations and their increased assertiveness in global affairs. While the US military responded to the show of force, it was made clear that there was no immediate threat to the US or Canada. However, this incident serves as a reminder of the changing dynamics in the Arctic region and the need for continued vigilance by the United States and its allies.
Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-08-07 00:07:00
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