U.S. Air Force Jets Intercept Two Russian Bombers Approaching Alaska

The U.S. Air Force sent two F-16 fighter jets to intercept a pair of Russian bombers that approached Alaska on Monday, October 18th, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said in a statement.

Although the two Russian Tu-95 Bear-H bombers did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace, NORAD said it “detected, tracked, positively identified and intercepted” the bombers as they were “entering and operating within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).”

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, an Air Defense Identification Zone is an area of airspace that requires all aircraft to be identified and located to have their flight plans “in the interest of national security.”

NORAD, a joint U.S.-Canadian air defense organization, said Russia’s activities “is not seen as a threat, nor is the activity seen as provocation.” However, the presence of the Russian bombers and the interception by U.S. fighter jets did come at a fraught time in the relationship between the two countries.

The situation has become more tense since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which the United States has supported with humanitarian and military aid while slamming Moscow with economic sanctions.

It has created an intriguing moment for a tight border between Russia and the United States. At least one ship of Russians fleeing a partial draft has reached the coast of Alaska, and Russian officials have made veiled threats against the state.