Russian military aircraft again tested North American defences on Wednesday, even as Moscow steps up incursions across Eastern Europe. According to the joint US-Canada North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad), two Russian Tu-95 heavy bombers and two Su-35 fighter jets entered the Alaskan Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
Norad said it scrambled F-16 fighters, E-3 airborne early warning and control aircraft and KC-135 tankers to track and identify the Russian planes. It emphasised that the aircraft remained in international airspace and did not cross into US or Canadian sovereign territory.
“The Russian military aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace. This Russian activity in the Alaskan ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat,” Norad said in its statement.
An ADIZ extends beyond a nation’s sovereign airspace and requires incoming aircraft to identify themselves. Although a country can monitor and respond to aircraft in this zone, it does not exercise full control over the territory.
The latest incident follows a series of more aggressive Russian actions in Europe. In recent weeks, Russian fighter jets and drones have breached the airspace of Poland, Estonia and Romania. Denmark on Monday accused Moscow of sending drones over Copenhagen, forcing the temporary closure of the capital’s airport. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described it as “the most serious attack so far against Danish critical infrastructure.”
Poland reported the most significant violation on the night of September 9-10, when at least 19 Russian drones entered its airspace. Polish forces shot several down, while Nato allies such as Germany and Italy assisted in responding to the threat. The United Kingdom has also deployed fighter jets to Poland to strengthen the alliance’s air defences.
The United States Air Force, however, has been notably absent from these Nato missions. Washington’s muted response to Russian aircraft in the Alaskan ADIZ comes at a time when President Donald Trump has openly questioned the US commitment to Nato’s collective defence clause.
Trump has cultivated a warmer relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and has so far refused to impose costs or deterrence measures for Moscow’s actions. This reluctance has continued even as Putin dismisses all offers of talks or ceasefire proposals on the war in Ukraine.
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