Between Tuesday and Friday, Russia nightly flew warplanes, including a pair of nuclear-capable Tu-95 Bear bombers, into the U.S. air defense identification zone (ADIZ). On Wednesday night, Russia flew two IL-38 anti-submarine planes into the U.S. ADIZ. On the other three nights, Russia flew the bombers. In response, U.S. and Canadian fighters intercepted the bombers on two of those nights. Russia is likely trying to intimidate President Trump and the American people on a number of issues.
In this U.S. Navy handout, a F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter intercepts one of two Russian Tu-95 Bear long rang bomber aircraft as it approached the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz February 9, 2008 south of Japan. Credit: U.S. Navy via Getty Images
Earlier this month, Trump ordered a cruise missile attack on Russia’s ally, Syria, for its alleged use of chemical weapons. Trump is also threatening Russia’s ally North Korea for its nuclear weapons development. On the back-burner is the Trump Administration’s criticism of Russia’s ally China, including China’s aggressive actions on the South China Sea, East China Sea, Himalayas, Taiwan, and in support of North Korean missile development.
The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, including an aircraft carrier, two destroyers and a guided missile cruiser, is currently past Indonesia and moving toward the Korean Peninsula. Some experts think Trump could launch an attack on the North’s nuclear and missile development sites if North Korea fails to make dramatic moves toward denuclearization.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad (L) during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on October 20, 2015. Syria’s embattled President Bashar al-Assad made a surprise visit to Moscow on October 20 for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his first foreign trip since the conflict erupted in 2011. Credit: ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP/Getty Images
The White House and Russia’s embassy in Washington sought to downplay the Russian flights. Nevertheless, they act as rare veiled nuclear threats, a form of nuclear brinkmanship last utilized by Russia against the U.S. in 2015.
Any nuclear threat must be taken seriously. The Russian flights are, above all, indicators of Russian intentions. That Russia would threaten the U.S. with nuclear weapons is a tragedy. That Russia would do so to prop up authoritarian leaders as morally bankrupt as Assad or Kim Jong Un is telling. The flights prove a lack of coordination between President Putin of Russia, and President Trump. Any hope that President Trump might have been warming to Russia to better deter China is now dashed.
Unfortunately, the nuclear-capable flights confirm that Putin cannot be trusted. As long as Russia is an autocratic country, it should never be seen as a reliable ally, even against Islamic State or China . And, Russia should be told unequivocally that America will never be intimidated. Hopefully the U.S. and allied fighter jets sent up against the Russian bombers conveyed that message.