The US military has deployed F-22 stealth fighters to positions in the Middle East.
US Central Command indicated the move is to deter aggressive actions by Russian aircraft.
Officials have noted several instances in recent months where Russian jets made "unsafe" maneuvers.
In recent months, US officials have called attention to several instances in which Russian aircraft appear to have executed aggressive maneuvers around American assets and interests across the Middle East.
While the jets send a message, an AFCENT spokesperson told Insider that the "primary purpose" of the fighter jets is to contribute to the ongoing defeat-ISIS mission.
Persons:
—, CENTCOM, Alexus Grynkewich, Chris Drzazgowsk, Michael Kurilla
Organizations:
Command, Russian, Service, Raptors, Central, Air Forces Central, ISIS, . Air Force, REUTERS, Russian Forces, Soviets, Islamic, Air Force, US
Locations:
East, Europe, North Africa, Central, South Asia, Syria, China