The video shows a Russian fighter jet flying just meters away from a US F-16

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Military officials have released new video of a surprise encounter between a Russian fighter jet flying near Alaska and a U.S. Air Force F-16 assigned to intercept it.

In the video released on Monday, the Russian plane comes out from behind the camera and speeds past the US jet just a few meters from the plane.

The video release of the September 23 close encounter with the US pilot under the direction of the North American Aerospace Defense Command comes after a series of Russian incursions into the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone just beyond sovereign US airspace.

The interaction was condemned by NORAD's top officer and one of Alaska's U.S. senators.

“The behavior of a Russian Su-35 was unsafe, unprofessional and put everyone at risk – not what you would see in a professional air force,” said Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command. The NORAD aircraft flew “safely and disciplined” to intercept the Russian plane, he added.

A message seeking comment sent to the Russian Embassy on Monday was not immediately returned.

Just a few weeks later, the Russian jet makes a close flyby eight Russian military aircraft and four of its naval ships, including two submarinescame close to Alaska as China and Russia conducted Joint drill.

None of the planes entered US airspace. However, about 130 U.S. troops were sent to Shemya Island, about 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers) southwest of Anchorage, along with mobile rocket launchers. They were stationed on the Aleutian Island for a week before returning to their bases.

In July, Russian and Chinese bombers flew together for the first time in international airspace off Alaska, a sign of cooperation, said US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed concerns.

In 2022, a U.S. Coast Guard ship was in the Bering Sea about 85 miles (137 kilometers) north of Kiska Island, Alaska encountered three Chinese and four Russian naval vessels Sailing in individual formation.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, a Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the Russian jet's close flyby was another reason to expand America's military presence in Alaska and the Arctic.

“The reckless and unprofessional maneuvers of Russian fighter pilots – just meters from our Alaska-based fighter jets – in Alaska’s ADIZ on September 23 endangered the lives of our brave airmen and underscores the escalating aggression we are witnessing at the hands of dictators like them.” Vladimir Putin “Sullivan said in a statement.