The U.S. military deployed fighter jets to track a Russian IL-20 COOT reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft flying near Alaska on Thursday.
Confirmed by NORAD
An E-3 Sentry early warning and control aircraft, two F-16 fighter jets and a KC-135 tanker were dispatched to intercept the Russian aircraft, reports the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
An identification zone
Although the area over which the Russian aircraft was flying does not belong to any particular country, aircraft entering it must identify themselves to the USA and Canada for national security reasons.
Regular, non-threatening military activity, according to NORAD
"The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian airspace. This Russian activity in the Alaskan ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat," reads a NORAD statement.
Russian military activity around Alaska
NORAD has observed the same type of aircraft flying over the region in the past week. These latest incursions join similar flights spotted in January, April and July, illustrating a gradual increase in Russian military activity around Alaska this year.
Dangerous behavior reported in September
In September 2024, NORAD released a video showing a Russian aircraft flying just a few meters from NORAD aircraft off the coast of Alaska. At the time, an American general stated that "the behavior of the Russian Su-35 was dangerous, unprofessional and put everyone at risk".
A multi-layer defense network
"NORAD employs a layered defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars and fighter aircraft to detect and track aircraft and inform appropriate actions. NORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America," says the release.