Russia wondered if anyone in North America was watching. The North American Aerospace Defense Command was.
On Wednesday, with most of the world’s eyes on the burgeoning conflict in the Middle East, Russia sent two TU-142 military aircraft into the Alaskan and Canadian Air Defense Identification Zones, according to a NORAD news release.
Air Defense Identification Zones extended beyond a nation’s airspace and are patrolled to ensure neither the U.S. nor Canada is surprised.
After the Russian planes entered the space, NORAD sent a welcoming committee made up of two U.S. Air Force F-35 fighter aircraft, two F-22 fighter aircraft, four KC-135 tankers, one E-3 AWACS, two Canadian CF-18 fighter aircraft, and one CC-150 tanker.
#ICYMI: Defense of #NorthAmerica from Russian Long-Range Aviation was a hallmark of #NORAD in 2025, and we will continue that mission in 2026. #WeHaveTheWatch #AerospaceWarning #AerospaceControl pic.twitter.com/7yjbSpzmYi
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) December 31, 2025
The mission’s goal was to identify, monitor, and intercept the aircraft.
As is normal with Russian incursions into the American and Canadian Air Defense Identification Zones, the Russian planes never entered sovereign airspace and turned back
“This Russian activity in the Alaskan and Canadian ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat,” NORAD noted in its release.
“NORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America,” the release said.
Wednesday’s incident follows a similar encounter last month, according to Fox News.
In that incident, Russia sent two Tu-95 bombers, two Su-35 fighter jets, and an A-50 airborne early warning aircraft to the Bering Strait off Alaska’s western coast.
Bravo Zulu to our Alaskan and Canadian #NORAD regions for having the Watch. https://t.co/aDow0CWsU4
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) February 20, 2026
NORAD responded with F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, supported by an E-3 aircraft and refueling tankers.
In August, Russia sent an Ilyushin IL-20 COO reconnaissance aircraft into the ADIZ four times in a week, according to Newsweek.
As noted by CBS News, there are times when aircraft get up close and personal.
“On Sept 23, 2024, NORAD aircraft flew a safe and disciplined intercept of Russian Military Aircraft in the Alaska ADIZ. The conduct of one Russian Su-35 was unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered all – not what you’d see in a professional air force.” – Gen. Gregory Guillot pic.twitter.com/gXZj3Ndkag
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) September 30, 2024
In September 2024, a Russian fighter jet was shown on video flying only a few feet from a responding NORAD jet.
Although generally Russia is the only nation that pokes the ADIZ, in July 2024, Chinese bombers joined Russian aircraft off the Alaskan ADIZ.
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