US jets escort Russian military aircraft out of Alaska's air defence zone

"The United States has dispatched fighter jets after multiple Russian military aircraft were observed operating in international airspace near Alaska, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Two Russian Tu-95s, two Su-35s and one A-50 were detected and tracked operating in Alaska's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), NORAD said in a statement on Friday, adding that it responded by sending two F-16s, two F-35s, one E-3 and four KC-135s."

"Countries including the US, China, India and Japan have unilaterally declared ADIZs that require foreign military aircraft to identify themselves upon entering a specific zone of airspace. Unlike sovereign airspace, ADIZs are not recognised in international law or overseen by any international body. In July 2024, the US and Canada intercepted two Chinese and two Russian bombers operating in Alaska's ADIZ."

NORAD detected two Tu-95s, two Su-35s and one A-50 operating in Alaska's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The United States dispatched F-16s, F-35s, an E-3 and KC-135 tankers and escorted the Russian aircraft until they left the ADIZ. NORAD said the Russian planes did not enter US or Canadian sovereign airspace and were not considered a threat. Russia's Ministry of Defence has not commented. ADIZs are unilaterally declared by countries and require foreign military aircraft to identify themselves, but ADIZs are not recognized under international law. In July 2024, US and Canadian forces intercepted Chinese and Russian bombers in Alaska's ADIZ, raising regional stability concerns.

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