Images shared with Newsweek have shown NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) aircraft escorting Russian military planes that flew within 30 nautical miles of the U.S. mainland.
NORAD said that on Wednesday, its aircraft were scrambled to track two Russian Tupolev Tu-95 four-engine strategic bombers and two Sukhoi Su-35 air defense fighters in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
The Russian planes remained in international airspace amid heightened tensions between NATO and Moscow. Newsweek has contacted the Russian defense ministry for comment.
A North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft escorts a Russian Su-35 Flanker and Tu-95 Bear bomber through the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone over the Bering Sea on September 24, 2025. (U.S. Department of Defense)
Why It Matters
Russia has been accused by NATO members of breaching alliance airspace with drones and aircraft. Poland and Estonia have invoked Article 4 of the alliance’s charter for security talks, in the latter case, following Tallin’s accusation that Russian MiG-31 aircraft had entered its territory to test the resolve of the West.
What To Know
Aircraft are expected to identify themselves in the ADIZ, which starts where sovereign airspace ends, around 12 miles from the coast. NORAD said that it intercepted four Russian aircraft which had entered the Alaska ADIZ but remained in international airspace on Wednesday.
NORAD said it deployed an E-3 Sentry surveillance plane, four F-16 Fighting Falcons and four KC-135 aerial tankers to identify and intercept the two Russian Tupolev Tu-95 four-engine strategic bombers and two Su-35 fighters.
NORAD spokesperson Rebecca Garand told Newsweek that the Russian aircraft flew inside the Alaskan ADIZ for approximately 53 minutes and the closest point of approach to the U.S. mainland was 30 nautical miles southwest of St. Lawrence Island.
Images from the U.S. Department of Defense provided to Newsweek show an F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft escorting the Su-35 Flanker and Tu-95 Bear bomber over the Bering Sea.
A North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft escorts a Russian Su-35 Flanker and Tu-95 Bear bomber through the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone over the Bering Sea on Sept. 24, 2025.
NORAD said that Wednesday’s incident happens regularly and was not a threat.
The previous Russian aircraft appearance in the Alaska ADIZ was on August 26, when an Ilyushin Il-20 surveillance plane made a two hour, 20-minute flight near the western Aleutian Islands. However, there have been other incidents this year in the ADIZ, in July, April, February and a total of 12 such flights in 2024.
What People Are Saying
NORAD spokesperson Rebecca Garand: “The two TU-95s and two SU-35s flew inside the Alaskan ADIZ for approximately 53 minutes; the closest point of approach to the U.S. mainland was 30 nautical miles southwest of St. Lawrence Island.”
The statement added: “NORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America and meeting presence with presence.”
What Happens Next
NATO members are likely to remain on high alert following incidents of Russian drones and aircraft breaching alliance airspace amid increasing tensions with Moscow.
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