U.S. Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Warplanes Near Alaska Airspace

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ANCHORAGE, ALASKA — U.S. military officials have confirmed that American fighter jets intercepted multiple Russian military aircraft approaching Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Tuesday, in what officials are calling the latest in a series of provocative aerial maneuvers near U.S. airspace.

According to a statement released by North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the Russian aircraft — which included two Tu-95 “Bear” strategic bombers and two Su-35 fighter escorts — were detected early Tuesday morning by U.S. radar systems as they approached the ADIZ from the Bering Sea.

In response, NORAD scrambled F-22 Raptor stealth fighters from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, accompanied by KC-135 Stratotankers for aerial refueling and E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft for airborne surveillance.

“The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign territory,” NORAD said in the statement. “However, their presence in the ADIZ is taken seriously and was met with a professional and timely response.”

No Violation, But Rising Tensions

While the Russian warplanes did not violate U.S. airspace — which begins 12 nautical miles from the U.S. coastline — their entry into the ADIZ, a buffer zone monitored for national security purposes, is considered unusual but not unprecedented.

NORAD confirmed that U.S. aircraft shadowed the Russian planes for approximately 45 minutes before the formation turned away and returned toward Russian airspace.

This is the third such incident in 2025, with similar encounters having occurred in March and July. Defense analysts note that such flights are often intended as shows of force or strategic messaging during periods of geopolitical tension.

Strategic Messaging?

The interception comes amid heightened military tensions between the U.S. and Russia, especially over ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe, increased NATO deployments, and Russia’s recent joint military exercises with China in the Arctic region.

Retired Air Force General Mark Hanley, a former NORAD commander, said the flight was likely a calculated signal.“This isn’t random. Russia is reminding the U.S. that it can project military power close to American territory, particularly in contested zones like the Arctic,” Hanley said. “It’s a cold war-era tactic with modern-day implications.”

Political Reactions

Lawmakers in Washington quickly reacted to the news. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued a strong statement.“Russia continues to test our resolve and probe our defenses. Alaska is on the front line of national security, and we need to ensure our military presence here remains strong.”

Meanwhile, the Pentagon reiterated its commitment to monitoring and defending U.S. airspace.“We remain vigilant and ready to respond to any potential threat,” said Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder.

No Immediate Threat to the Public

Officials emphasized that the public was never in danger and that the incident was handled with professionalism by both U.S. and Russian crews.

Still, the encounter serves as a stark reminder of the strategic importance of the Arctic and the fragile balance between military readiness and diplomatic restraint in a new era of great-power competition.