Russia violated U.S. airspace 16 times in 10 days

Long-range Russian bombers and other aircraft have penetrated or probed U.S. airspace 16 times in the last 10 days.

The Washington Free Beacon reports that most of the incidents took place over the Alaskan air defense zone, primarily over the Aleutian Islands, although the Russians did make incursions into continental Alaska as well.

A variety of Russian aircraft took part in the probes. These included Tu-95s, which are long distance bombers. Tu-142s also invaded U.S. airspace. Tu-142s are outfitted for primarily maritime patrols and anti-submarine activities. Additionally, one intelligence aircraft, an IL-20, took part in the incursions.

Maj. Beth Smith, a spokesperson for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), described the events as routine training exercises.

A defense official interviewed by the Beacon disagreed with this assessment. He described the violations of U.S. airspace as tests of U.S. responses and command systems.

That official also said that such behavior by long-range bombers resembles the Cold War, when nuclear bombers and other aircraft would routinely enter U.S. airspace so they would know what to do in the event of war.

These are not the only incursions into U.S. airspace by Russian aircraft. In early summer 2014, Russian aircraft flew within 50 miles of the California coast. They were also reported to have entered the airspace around the U.S. territory of Guam.

The entrance of unauthorized aircraft into U.S. airs defense zones triggers a response by fighter jets, which trail the offenders until they leave U.S. airspace.  

The uptick in Russian military probes of U.S. airspace most likely has its source in tensions between Russia and the United States over the developments in eastern Ukraine.

Russia believes that Ukraine is a part of its sphere of influence and vital national interest. For this reason it has armed Russian speakers in the east of the country so they can establish rump states largely free from the control of the European leaning government in Kiev. The United States, however, supports a united Ukraine.