A US F35 jet in the airspace over Alaska (archive image).Image: keystone
02/20/2026, 07:0202/20/2026, 07:05
Due to the intrusion of Russian bombers and fighter jets into the air defense zone off the US state of Alaska, several military planes went on an interception mission. Two Russian TU-95 long-range bombers, two SU-35 fighter jets and an A-50 airspace reconnaissance aircraft were escorted by the aircraft until they left the air defense zone, said the North American Airspace Defense Command (Norad). The Russian planes did not enter Canadian or American airspace during their advance.
According to Norad, which the USA operates together with Canada, several aircraft were involved in the operation: two F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, four KC-135 tanker aircraft and an E-3 Awacs airspace reconnaissance aircraft. It remained unclear whether these were exclusively US military aircraft or whether there were also Canadian aircraft.
PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked two Tu-95s, two Su-35s, and one A-50 operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Feb. 19, 2026.
NORAD launched two F-16s, two F-35s, one E-3, and…
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) February 20, 2026
Norad further explained that such incidents with Russian aircraft occur regularly. These would not be seen as a threat. According to military experts, states often use such incursions to test the defenses of the affected countries.
The air defense zone lies in front of the airspace of a state: it is not part of the sovereign territory, but rather forms a buffer zone, so to speak. All aircraft must identify themselves there and announce their coordinates. This serves to ensure national security, says Norad. (pre/sda)