US fighter jets are scrambled to intercept Russian and Chinese nuclear capable bombers

Two Russian and two Chinese bombers have been intercepted while flying close to American airspace.

American and Canadian fighter jets were scrambled to see off the incoming planes hours before Joe Biden addressed the nation about his presidency.

The Russian TU-95 'Bear' turboprop strategic bombers and Chinese H-6 jet bombers were spotted by North American Aerospace Defense Command.

NORAD detected and tracked the aircraft as they entered the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone on Wednesday, the command said.

None of the four planes entered American airspace and stayed in international airspace when the NORAD planes intercepted them.

The presence of foreign planes in the Alaska ADIZ is not considered a threat, but is closely monitored by NORAD satellites, radar, and aircraft.

The zone is a stretch of international airspace that spans 150 miles from the coastline and is patrolled by NORAD - a partnership between the US and Canada.

All aircraft that enter the zone are required to identify themselves in the interests of national security.

Tensions between the US and Russia are heightened amid the war in Ukraine and widening conflicts in the Middle East. 

Defense experts warned global tensions have not been as intense since at least the 1970s.

Biden gave an 11-minute farewell address to the US on Wednesday night to explain why he abandoned his bid for reelection on Sunday.

The president said he chose to 'pass the torch' to Vice President Kamala Harris because it was time for 'younger voices' and he believed that would 'unite' the country and 'save democracy'.