The U.S. aircraft was a P-8A Poseidon patrol and reconnaissance plane, according to the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command.
The C54D-DC airplane — a military version of the WWII-era Douglas DC-4 aircraft — crashed outside Fairbanks Tuesday. No survivors were found.
The incident nearly caused an accident and underscored the potential for a mishap as both countries vie for influence in the region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin made the comment Thursday, but there was no way to independently verify the statement.
