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Russian warplanes were detected near Alaska on Monday (April 14), according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). The aircraft entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) but remained in international airspace and did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace.
Military officials reported that the Russian planes did not pose a threat, although their presence is part of an ongoing pattern of Russian military activity in the region. The exact number and type of aircraft were not disclosed. The ADIZ serves as a buffer zone where aircraft are expected to identify themselves for national security purposes.
This recent detection follows similar incidents, including one in September where a Russian Su-35 fighter flew dangerously close to a U.S. F-16 in the ADIZ. NORAD uses a combination of satellites, radar, and fighter jets to monitor and respond to such activities.
U.S. officials note that Russian military flights in the area have increased in recent years, reflecting a more assertive stance by Russia. Despite the repeated incursions, NORAD emphasized that these activities are not viewed as a direct threat to national security.