American fighter jets intercepted Russian planes in the air defense zone near Alaska
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and intercepted two Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers along with two Su-35 fighter jets in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone. This is reported by CBS News.
An E-3 long-range radar detection aircraft, four F-16 fighter jets and four KC-135 tankers were scrambled to intercept the Russian planes. The command emphasized that the Russian planes were exclusively in international airspace and did not violate the sovereign borders of the USA or Canada.
Similar flights of Russian aviation in the ADIZ zone of Alaska occur regularly and are not considered a direct threat. Moscow did not comment on this incident.
NORAD explained that the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) is a part of international airspace that begins outside national borders, but requires mandatory identification of all aircraft for security reasons.
Recall that in February 2025, NORAD also reported the detection of Russian aircraft in international airspace near Alaska, stressing that they did not pose a threat. Also, on July 5, 2025, an F-16 fighter jet intercepted a civilian aircraft that violated the temporarily closed airspace over Bedminster, New Jersey, where President Trump’s golf club is located.
