U.S. Aerospace Defense Intercepts 5 Russian Aircraft Near Alaska

NORAD says Russian planes remained in international airspace and did not enter U.S. or Canadian airspace.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported that it detected and escorted five Russian aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Thursday. NORAD deployed fighter jets, an airborne warning and control aircraft, and refueling tankers to monitor the Russian planes until they departed the ADIZ, though the aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace.

Why it matters

Incursions by Russian military aircraft into the Alaskan ADIZ are not uncommon, though they are closely monitored by U.S. and Canadian defense forces. While the aircraft did not violate sovereign airspace, such encounters highlight ongoing geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Russia, particularly in the strategically important Arctic region.

The details

NORAD said it scrambled two F-16 fighter jets, two F-35 fighter jets, one E-3 airborne warning and control aircraft, and four KC-135 refueling tankers to intercept and escort the five Russian aircraft until they left the Alaskan ADIZ. The Russian planes remained in international airspace throughout the encounter.

  • On Thursday, February 19, 2026, NORAD detected the Russian aircraft in the Alaskan ADIZ.

The players

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)

A binational military command of the United States and Canada that provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and defense for North America.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing strategic importance of the Arctic region and the need for continued vigilance and coordination between U.S. and Canadian defense forces to monitor foreign military activity in the airspace near Alaska.