The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) announced on Wednesday that it observed Russian aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
NORAD identified the aircraft as two Tu-95s, which are long-range strategic bombers, and two Su-35s, which are advanced fighter jets.
“The Russian military aircraft stayed in international airspace and did not breach American or Canadian sovereign airspace. This activity by Russian aircraft in the Alaskan ADIZ is a routine occurrence and is not considered a threat,” a statement from NORAD indicated.
NORAD said it responded with an E-3, four F-16s and four KC-135 tankers “to positively identify and intercept in the Alaskan ADIZ.”
Two NATO sources informed Fox News Digital that on September 19, three Russian MiG-31 jets were flying over Estonia. The jets maneuvered back and forth for over 12 minutes until Italian F-35s escorted them out, according to the sources.
“Russia has violated Estonia’s airspace four times this year already, which is unacceptable. However, today’s incident, involving three fighter aircraft entering our airspace, is startlingly bold,” stated Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. “Russia’s increasing boundary tests and aggressiveness need to be countered with heightened political and economic responses.”
NATO allies met on Tuesday following the incursion at the request of Estonia, which triggered Article 4.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on behalf of member states that Russia’s actions were “escalatory.”
“We do not wish to see a continuation of this dangerous trend by Russia, intentional or otherwise,” Rutte mentioned. “However, we are prepared and committed to defending every last bit of allied territory.”
