Nine American Aircraft Scrambled After Detection of Russian Formation Near Alaska

On Thursday evening local time, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) identified a formation of five Russian aircraft entering the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) off the coast of Alaska. The Russian group consisted of two Tu-95 strategic bombers, two Su-35 fighters, and an A-50 early warning aircraft. The Americans responded immediately, deploying nine aircraft to escort the uninvited guests until they left the monitored area. The American interception team included two F-35 fighters, two F-16s, a E-3 AWACS command aircraft, and four KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling tankers. U.S. military representatives emphasized that the Russian actions were conducted in international airspace and did not pose a direct threat to national security. Similar incidents are described by the military as routine, though they require a response each time as part of scramble procedures. Since the Cold War, Russian strategic aviation has regularly conducted patrol flights near NATO borders, testing the response time of air defense systems and the operational readiness of air forces. Despite the tense geopolitical situation, the command in Colorado Springs noted that the Russian aircraft did not violate U.S. or Canadian airspace. The entire operation concluded without incident after the Russian aircraft turned back west. However, experts note that the presence of such a diverse group, including bombers, fighters, and a spy plane, suggests an attempt to demonstrate strength in the Arctic region.