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US jets intercept Russian planes near Alaska three times in one week

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US jets intercept Russian planes near Alaska three times in one week
Policy
Webp ben
Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Airlines | Alaska Airlines

For the third time in a week, American fighter jets intercepted Russian military aircraft operating near Alaska. According to ABC News, these incidents occurred within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), an area monitored for national security purposes. The Russian planes did not enter U.S. sovereign airspace.

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) officials confirmed that one of the recent encounters involved a Russian Ilyushin IL-20. In response, NORAD deployed two F-16s, two Boeing KC-135 refueling tankers, and an E-3 Sentry surveillance aircraft to assess any potential threat from the IL-20.

The first interception of the week happened on August 20 when a Russian IL-20 reconnaissance plane entered the ADIZ. This type of aircraft is often used by Russia for electronic surveillance and monitoring U.S. military activities in the Pacific region. NORAD scrambled F-16 fighters to shadow it until it left the identification zone.

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A second incident followed just a day later with another Russian reconnaissance plane detected in the ADIZ. U.S. aircraft escorted this plane out of the zone as well.

The third event occurred later that same week when yet another Russian military aircraft approached the ADIZ, prompting another deployment of U.S. fighters. Officials noted that while such interceptions are not rare, having three in one week is unusual and raises questions about Russia’s intentions.

NORAD has regularly intercepted Russian aircraft near Alaska since the Cold War due to geographic proximity across the Bering Strait between Russia's Far East and Alaska. Typically, only a few such incidents are reported each year and often coincide with major geopolitical events or heightened tensions between nations.

Officials stressed there was no imminent threat during these latest encounters but emphasized NORAD’s role in maintaining readiness for any scenario affecting North American security.

These incidents come at a sensitive moment in U.S.-Russia relations as Washington continues providing military aid to Ukraine amid ongoing disputes over ceasefire terms with Moscow. Such flights serve as demonstrations of power and presence—reminding both sides of their capabilities while carrying risks if communications fail or actions are misinterpreted.

Both countries have longstanding experience managing close aerial encounters, but increased political tension raises concerns about potential escalation should an incident occur involving loss or damage to military assets.

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