US scrambles fighter jets to intercept Russian aircraft near Alaska

The United States scrambled fighter jets after Russian military aircraft were detected near Alaska.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said Wednesday that it detected, tracked, and intercepted two Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, NORAD said U.S. fighter jets had conducted the intercept.

“The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace,” it said. “This Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ is not seen as a threat, and NORAD will continue to monitor competitor activity near North America and meet presence with presence.”

The Context

NORAD, which is made up of U.S. and Canadian forces, has intercepted Russian aircraft flying near Alaska multiple times since President Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

For example, it said in July 2023 that Russian aircraft had made at least four incursions into airspace close to Alaska since the beginning of that year.

What We Know

NORAD didn’t elaborate on which type of Russian aircraft were detected on Wednesday or what U.S. fighter jets were used in the intercept.

An ADIZ is a defined stretch of international airspace but “requires the ready identification, location and control of all aircraft in the interest of national security,” NORAD previously said.

The aerospace defense command said it employs a “layered defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars and fighter aircraft to track aircraft and inform appropriate actions.”

“NORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America,” it said.

Newsweek has contacted the Russian Defense Ministry for comment via email.

In July, the Pentagon said Russian and Chinese bombers—two Russian Tu-95 and two Chinese H-6 military aircraft—were detected flying near Alaska, marking the first time the two nations had been observed operating together in that manner.

Wednesday’s intercept near Alaska comes as Russia and China conduct joint large-scale military exercises in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean, Caspian and Baltic Seas, through September 16.

What’s Next?

NORAD is likely to intercept more Russian aircraft operating in the ADIZ in the future, given that such incursions are not uncommon.

A U.S. Defense Department spokesperson told Newsweek in July 2023 that Russian activity in the ADIZ “occurs regularly, and we do not view this activity as a threat.” A NORAD spokesperson also told Newsweek there is “nothing associated with this and/or previous events that would indicate there are any ties to global activity.”

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