Russia Deploys Main Fighter Jets Near US Alaska Border... "Equipped with Hypersonic Missiles"

US Pressure Ahead of Administrative Change... Arctic Tensions Continue
Challenges Include Nuclear Arms Reduction Treaty and Withdrawal from Open Skies Treaty

Appearance of a MiG-31 fighter jet equipped with Russia's hypersonic missile 'Kinzhal' [Image source=Russian Ministry of Defense]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russia's deployment of its main fighter jet, the MiG-31, to the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, which faces Alaska in the United States, is expected to intensify the tensions between the U.S. and Russia in the Arctic region. This fighter jet is a strategic weapon capable of carrying Russia's latest hypersonic missile, and the move is interpreted as a measure to pressure the U.S. ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration next month. Russia is reportedly aiming to secure a diplomatic advantage in its relations with the U.S. by addressing unresolved issues from the Trump administration, such as the extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) and withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty (OST).

According to the Russian state news agency TASS, on the 18th, Sergey Avakyants, commander of the Pacific Fleet, stated in an interview with a Russian defense media outlet, "Since the 1st of this month, MiG-31 fighter jets belonging to the Pacific Fleet have been assigned combat missions in the Arctic region," adding that these jets have been deployed to Anadyr, the capital of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. The Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is a region facing the U.S. state of Alaska across the Bering Sea. Both countries have been engaged in intense rivalry over dominance in the Arctic region. Following President Trump's announcement of withdrawal from the OST in May, both nations have experienced numerous confrontations involving fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft in the Arctic airspace.

The reason for deploying the MiG-31 fighter jets near Alaska is seen as a pressure tactic against the U.S. government. The MiG-31 is one of the main fighter jets of the Russian Air Force and is particularly noted as a strategic weapon capable of carrying Russia's latest hypersonic missile, the "Kinzhal." The Kinzhal is a hypersonic missile capable of flying at Mach 10 and can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads. Due to its high speed, it is known to be difficult to track and intercept with U.S. missile defense systems (MD). Since November last year, Russia has been conducting test launches of the Kinzhal missile mounted on the MiG-31 in the Arctic region.

Russia faces several issues to negotiate with the incoming Biden administration next month, including the renewal of the New START treaty, withdrawal from the OST, and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) issues, which were not resolved during the Trump administration. Pressuring the U.S. in the Arctic is interpreted as a strategy to gain a favorable position in these negotiations.

Meanwhile, according to TASS, Russian President Vladimir Putin belatedly congratulated President-elect Joe Biden on the 15th. Putin had not sent congratulations on November 22, when Biden's victory was confirmed, citing ongoing legal challenges by President Trump against the election results.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.