Due to the intrusion of Russian reconnaissance aircraft into the air defense zone in North America, several military aircraft were deployed on an interception mission.
Mar 5, 2026, 7:43 amMar 5, 2026, 7:43 am
The Airspace Defense Command (Norad) said two Russian TU-142 maritime patrol aircraft were detected in the airspace off the US state of Alaska and Canada and were escorted until they left the air defense zone.
There were already incidents off Alaska in February.Image: keystone
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 US military fighter jets of the type F-22 and F-35, four tanker aircraft of the model KC-135 and an Awacs airspace reconnaissance aircraft of the type E-3 as well as two Canadian fighter jets of the type CF-18 and a tanker aircraft CC-150.
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.
Most recently, there was an incident in February in which two Russian TU-95 long-range bombers, two SU-35 fighter jets and an airspace reconnaissance aircraft were intercepted.
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. (sda/dpa)