Russian Aircraft Approached Alaska 0 20

Russian reconnaissance aircraft approached the American air defense zone in Alaska. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked two Russian Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance aircraft that entered the air defense identification zones of Alaska and Canada, according to Deutsche Welle. To intercept and escort them, two F-35 fighters of the U.S. Air Force, two F-22 fighters, four KC-135 refueling aircraft, one E-3 AWACS aircraft, two Canadian CF-18 fighters, and one CC-150 refueling aircraft were deployed, NORAD reported. The incident occurred on March 4.

The joint U.S.-Canadian military agency emphasized that the U.S. air defense identification zone extends beyond the country's airspace - it is a specific area of international airspace, but quick identification of aircraft is required in it. In other words, the U.S. does not consider the flights of Russian military aircraft in this area as a threat.