Multiple U.S. fighter jets were scrambled on Wednesday to identify and intercept Russian warplanes flying near Alaska.
According to NORAD, two Russian Tu-95 long-range strategic bombers and two Su-35 fighter jets were operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). While this is considered international airspace, the region directly borders U.S. and Canadian sovereign airspace.
NORAD responded to the four Russian warplanes by sending an E-3 early warning and control aircraft, four F-16s, and four KC-135 tanker planes. The aircraft were scrambled “to positively identify and intercept” the Russian warplanes, per CBS News.
Russian activity in the ADIZ is not considered unusual nor deemed a threat by NORAD. However, it was the latest in a series of flights by Russia that may be seen as Moscow testing the preparedness of the U.S. and NATO countries.
The incident in the ADIZ follows a still-unattributed group of large drones that flew close to Copenhagen Airport in Denmark on Tuesday and Wednesday. According to Danish police, the drones were operated by a “capable actor.”
The engagement also comes after President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday, remarking that Kyiv was capable of regaining all of its lost territory:
“After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia Military and Economic situation and, after seeing the Economic trouble it is causing Russia, I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form.”
“Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a War that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win. This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like “a paper tiger”… Ukraine would be able to take back their Country in its original form and, who knows, maybe even go further than that!”