Tensions between the US and Russia are mounting after Putin’s bombers were spotted near the coast of Alaska, whilst his forces entered a US air base in Niger that is hosting American troops.
US fighter jets allegedly scrambled to intercept the flights, which had been travelling for a duration of 11 hours across the Bering Sea, the Russian Ministry of Defence reports.
The Russian Defence Minister confirmed the Tu-95MS missile carriers’ presence off the US coast, adding: “At certain stages, the missile carriers were accompanied by fighter jets of foreign countries.”
Four military jets from the Kremlin were detected and tracked operating near American airspace, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) confirmed Thursday. They added that the Russian jets “remained in international airspace”.
US-Russia tensions SKYROCKET as Putin's bombers complete 11-hour flight near Alaska and his forces enter US base in Niger
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It comes as Russian forces have started operating out of the same military base that stations US troops, putting the two countries’ militaries in close proximity to one another amid heightened tensions over the war in Ukraine.
The Russian military personnel have not been mingling with the US troops, opting to use a separate hanger at Airbase 101, which is next to Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger's capital.
A senior US defence official, who has not been named due to an anonymity condition, said: “(The situation) is not great but in the short-term manageable.”
Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Russians posed no “risk” to US forces.
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A screengrab of a satellite image shows the view of Airbase 101, next to Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger
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“The Russians are in a separate compound and don't have access to US forces or access to our equipment,” he told journalists in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“I'm always focused on the safety and protection of our troops... But right now, I don't see a significant issue here in terms of our force protection," the defence secretary added.
Addressing the deployment, Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters in Moscow that Russia was “developing ties with various African countries in all areas, including in the military one”.
In March, US diplomatic and military officials visited the African country and expressed concern about the presence of Russian troops in the country, with one official describing the meeting as tense.
General Abdourahamane Tiani, Niger's new strongman, speaking on national television following coup
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A few days later, military officers ruling Niger told the US to withdraw its entirety of troops from the country, which had been countering Islamic insurgents in the region.
The Pentagon has since confirmed that the US is working with Nigerian officials to carry out an orderly withdrawal of troops.
Last July, a coup took place which deposed the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, who had been a key partner in Washington’s fight against the insurgents.
The country, along with Burkina Faso, announced following in Mali’s footsteps by withdrawing from the G5 international force set up to fight Islamists in the region.
The three military-run countries have now set up their own grouping - the Alliance of Sahel States.