US Navy’s F-35C and Russia’s Il-38N engage in a remarkable aerial confrontation captured on film

A remarkable incident recently took place in the expansive Pacific Ocean, where a U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II, recognized as one of the most sophisticated fighter jets in the U.S. military, flew in close proximity to a Russian Ilyushin Il-38N, a maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft.

This dramatic encounter, recorded on video and widely circulated on social media platforms such as X, occurred at a low altitude, with the formidable silhouette of the USS Carl Vinson, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, visible beneath them.

The unusual military interaction between these two global powers has garnered significant attention from both analysts and the public, providing insight into the ongoing strategic dynamics in international waters.

The footage, which offers a Russian viewpoint, depicts the Il-38N accompanied by the sleek, stealthy F-35C, with an additional U.S. fighter, the F/A-18F Super Hornet, also reported to be in the area.

A representative from the U.S. Pacific Fleet confirmed to Newsweek that this interaction occurred while the USS Carl Vinson was operating in the Pacific, highlighting that a Russian aircraft was intercepted and escorted in a manner considered “safe and professional.”

While the specific date and exact location of the incident have not been disclosed, posts on X and subsequent reports indicate that it likely happened in the days leading up to this week. The Russian Defense Ministry has yet to issue an official statement, leaving the narrative primarily shaped by U.S. accounts and the widely shared footage.

This encounter is part of a larger trend of military interactions between the United States and Russia, especially in areas where their interests overlap. The Pacific Ocean, a vital region for both nations, has witnessed similar incidents in recent years as each side keeps a close watch on the other’s naval activities.

According to Pentagon announcements last week, the USS Carl Vinson, which carries Carrier Air Wing 2, had been operating in the Western Pacific before its redeployment towards the Middle East.

Earlier this month, a Russian-language Telegram channel reported that the Il-38 aircraft of the Pacific Fleet were engaged in routine combat training exercises over the Sea of Japan, indicating the operational backdrop that may have contributed to this midair encounter.

The aircraft involved highlight a stark contrast in technology and strategy. The F-35C, a fifth-generation fighter designed for carrier operations, exemplifies the forefront of U.S. military aviation.

Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, it features stealth technology, sophisticated sensors, and precision strike capabilities, making it a vital element of American naval power projection. In contrast, the Il-38N is a modernized variant of a Soviet-era aircraft from the 1960s, developed by Ilyushin.

Primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare, it comes equipped with enhanced detection systems and can deploy mines or torpedoes, although it does not match the speed and maneuverability of a fighter jet. The sight of these two aircraft in the air highlights the differing strategies for air and naval supremacy adopted by Washington and Moscow.

Military analysts regard such intercepts as common yet important. David Ochmanek, a senior analyst at the RAND Corporation with extensive experience in defense policy, noted that these interactions serve two main purposes: safeguarding naval assets and collecting intelligence.

“When a foreign aircraft approaches a carrier strike group, the standard protocol is to deploy fighters to identify and monitor it,” he stated. “Both parties are assessing each other’s response times and capabilities while simultaneously signaling their presence.” In this instance, the involvement of both an F-35C and an F/A-18F indicates a comprehensive U.S. response, combining stealth technology with the established versatility of the Super Hornet.

The recent low-altitude flyby of the Il-38N near the USS Carl Vinson could be seen as a calculated demonstration of capabilities from the Russian side. Given the aircraft’s function in maritime surveillance, it was likely outfitted to gather intelligence on the movements of the carrier group, a tactic often employed in the context of great power rivalry.

The Aviationist, a well-regarded aerospace publication, highlighted last year that the upgrades to the Il-38N enhance its value for reconnaissance missions, allowing it to operate in contested airspace for extended periods to monitor and report activities.

It remains uncertain whether this particular mission was strategically timed with the Carl Vinson’s movements or if it was a spontaneous opportunity. However, the close proximity indicates the heightened vigilance both militaries have regarding each other’s activities.

Such encounters have characterized U.S.-Russian relations since the Cold War, when Soviet Tu-95 bombers routinely tested NATO defenses, leading to the scrambling of American interceptors. The Pacific region has continued to be a focal point, with NORAD documenting numerous instances of Russian aircraft entering the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone in recent years.

In September, a Russian Su-35 came alarmingly close—within 50 feet—of a U.S. F-16 near Alaska, an event deemed “unsafe and unprofessional” by U.S. officials. In contrast, the Pacific Fleet’s characterization of the recent encounter as professional indicates a shared understanding of engagement protocols, despite ongoing tensions.

The larger geopolitical landscape further complicates this situation. The USS Carl Vinson’s redeployment to the Middle East coincides with increasing U.S. military actions against Houthi targets in Yemen, aimed at securing maritime routes in the Red Sea. At the same time, Russia has been strengthening its relationship with China, as demonstrated by joint bomber patrols near Alaska last July, which were intercepted by U.S. and Canadian aircraft.

This unprecedented collaboration marks a significant change in the dynamics of the Pacific, with Moscow and Beijing increasingly aligning against Western interests. Although the recent incident involved only Russian and U.S. forces, it underscores the idea that the region continues to serve as a battleground for superpower strategies.

Public response, amplified by the video’s circulation on X, has varied from intrigue to apprehension. Ryan Chan, a contributor for Newsweek who first reported the story, identified the Instagram account “ryans_warbirds” as the original source of the footage, which is believed to have been recorded by a sailor from the Carl Vinson.

The striking visuals of the clip—depicting the Russian aircraft overshadowed by the carrier and flanked by U.S. jets—have ignited conversations about military preparedness and the potential for escalation. Nevertheless, both military forces seem to regard these encounters as routine, a sentiment reflected in the Pacific Fleet’s measured response.

For the sailors on the Carl Vinson, such interactions are part of their daily operations. The carrier, which hosts nine aviation squadrons and over 5,000 personnel, serves as a formidable platform for projecting power and deterring threats. Its air wing, including the F-35C, undergoes extensive training for scenarios like this to ensure that intercepts are executed effectively.

Captain John Miller, a retired naval aviator who piloted F/A-18s in the 1990s, reminisced about similar missions. “You’re always alert, but the aim is to maintain control,” he stated. “The other side is aware that we’re monitoring them, and we know they’re keeping an eye on us. It’s a coordinated effort.”

Comparisons to other recent events illustrate the variability of these encounters. The close call in Alaska last fall faced significant backlash, while a July interception of Russian and Chinese bombers was deemed routine by NORAD. This week’s incident occupies a middle ground—visually striking yet officially classified as uneventful.

The distinction may stem from how actions are carried out: a low pass near a carrier is daring but not necessarily aggressive, in contrast to a near-collision in open airspace. Nevertheless, each incident erodes the trust between the two military forces, a concern highlighted by analysts who caution against potential miscalculations amid strained diplomatic relations.

As the Carl Vinson makes its way toward the Middle East and the Russian Pacific Fleet continues its training exercises, the Pacific Ocean serves as a backdrop for this subtle rivalry. The video, now ingrained in public awareness, underscores the stakes at play—technological capabilities, territorial dominance, and the fragile equilibrium of deterrence.

Neither party has indicated a desire to escalate tensions, and Moscow’s lack of an immediate response implies that this incident will likely be recorded as just another instance of routine military interactions. However, for observers from a distance, it offers a brief glimpse into a realm where power is gauged not only by rhetoric but also by the sound of engines cutting through open waters.

The final aspect of this scenario is the silence that often follows such occurrences. There were no reported injuries, no shots fired, and no diplomatic protests raised—at least for now. The U.S. Navy has already redirected its attention to its upcoming mission, while Russia’s Il-38N probably returned to its base with data for its commanders to analyze.

What remains is the striking image: two aircraft from opposing nations flying in formation against the backdrop of a carrier, encapsulating both tension and professionalism. In the unpredictable waters of the Pacific, this scene may soon be repeated.