The U.S. military dispatched two F-22 stealth fighters late Monday to intercept a pair of Russian bombers near Alaska, according to a Pentagon official.

The official told The Washington Examiner Tuesday the Air Force’s jets visually identified the Russian vehicles as TU-95 “Bear” long-range bombers.

The American jets briefly flew alongside the Russian bombers before the bombers changed course and flew away from the U.S.

The official noted that TU-95s are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, but the planes involved in Monday’s incident did not appear armed.

The interception was conducted in a “safe and professional” manner, the official added, as the bombers did not violate U.S. airspace or break international norms.