Washington, June 10: US fighter jets reportedly intercepted and escorted four Russian nuclear-capable bombers during a routine flight over neutral waters near Alaska. According to Russia-based news agency RIA, four Tupolev Tu-95MS bombers, which can carry and launch nuclear weapons, were intercepted by US fighter jets. The RIA reported the news citing the Russian Defence Ministry. US, Russia to Start Nuclear Arms Control Talks This Month.

Russia has also admitted that its Tupolev Tu-95MS bombers were accompanied by US F-22 Raptor tactical fighters during some stages of their flight, said the RIA. Moscow further said that the 11-hour flight by its planes were in accordance with international law, the news agency added. The incident occurred at a time when the US and Russia have agreed to start arms control talks this month. US Leaving Open Skies Treaty a ‘Blow’ to European Security, Says Russia.

Russia has offered to extend the existing New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which expires in February next year, but US President Donald Trump wants to see a three-way nuclear arms treaty that includes China. Beijing, which is expanding its nuclear arsenal but is not nearly as big as the ones held by the US and Russia, has expressed little to no interest in negotiating or signing a pact.

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Geng Shuang, had said in January that China has “no intention to participate” in trilateral arms control negotiations. New START imposes limits on the number of US and Russian long-range nuclear warheads and launchers. The new document is in line with Russian military doctrine.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 10, 2020 05:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).