The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked Russian Tu-95 and Su-35 military aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on 18 February 2025, according to a press release.
The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter US or Canadian sovereign airspace. NORAD emphasised that this activity is routine and does not pose a direct threat.
The ADIZ is a designated area of international airspace where the identification of all aircraft is required for national security purposes.
“NORAD employs a layered defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars, and fighter aircraft to detect and track aircraft and inform appropriate actions,” the statement reads. It also reiterated that NORAD remains ready to respond if necessary in the defence of North America.
This latest incident, say NORAD, aligns with past Russian aerial operations near North American airspace, reflecting ongoing strategic posturing in the region.
According to a statement:
“North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft positively identified and intercepted two Russian Tu-95 and two Su-35 military aircraft over the Chukchi Sea,19 Feb. 2025.
NORAD employs a layered defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars and fighter aircraft to detect and track aircraft and inform appropriate actions. NORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America including meeting presence with presence.”
NORAD continues to monitor air activity and assess potential threats as part of its mission to safeguard US and Canadian airspace.
— #WeHaveTheWatch —
On Feb. 18 & 19, 2025, @NORADCommand F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft positively identified and intercepted 2 Russian Tu-95 and 2 Su-35 military aircraft in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) remaining in international airspace west of AK. pic.twitter.com/yamTxXz7fY
— Alaskan NORAD Region and Alaskan Command (@ANRALCOM) February 21, 2025
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I do find it interesting that the U.S. seems to have forgotten that Russia is also a pacific power and an ally of its major competitor/enemy in the pacific. Less pressure on Russia in the Euro Atlantic region frees it up to operate more closely and aggressively in the pacific theatre.
Exactly my point from yesterday if these two nations were freed up from defending the western front and wanted to challenge the US in Alaska then the US would quickly realise just how it doesn’t have a beautiful wide ocean between it and Russia. After what has happened recently that seemed unimaginable just months ago I don’t see how they can simply not understand just how Europe protects the US but fear they just don’t get it and how that presumption might change US security very quickly if it’s removed as a factor from the equation in future years.
As that area is becoming a vital trade route for Russia/ China and China is intent on exercising power in the high North what was a relative dead end road to nowhere is rapidly becoming a major motorway and pressure will only increase.
In reality it would do more damage to Canada and they one state. But America would have a counter attack. But I would prefer if they behaved like adults and realised that the world belongs to us all. And with Trump in charge Putin and him seem to get along. I don’t think ven feel threatened by any Russians..the world has 1.8 billion Muslims and ho at present have been doing attacks in Europe and the UK. They are the biggest danger to us all. Not Russia. And if we say they lock up reporters. Sure hasn’t my government in… Read more »
Who died after being “locked up for speaking” by the British government?
He’s right a man was locked up for criticism of government on a placard . He was put in a prison full of Muslims who bullied him till he committed suicide. Look it up .
The Yanks would smoke Russia like a cigarette in the Pacific. The amount of US assets in Alaska and the Pacific rim is beyond comprehension.
They haven’t ‘forgot’. They know they would win with ease.
Yes but they do not have the assets smoke china and and Russia in the western pacific region…Russia would be an SSGN providing adjunct to a very large and modern navy.
Yeah they do. The US would defeat China and Russia in the pacific. The Sino/Russians have no answers to the US’s 70+ SSN force. Especially with pacific allies. South Korea has more tube artillery than all of Europe combined. Japan’s air force and navy is massive.
Trump probably inviting the Russian lads over for a beer.
If we could get James bond to hijack a bear and bomb the yanks hehehe
Trump should never had got in as he was facing criminal charges and our government isn’t squeaky clean but Russia should not be allowed in the airspace and president Putin needs to resign and step down as he should be facing criminal charges and the same as abroad America has got a big united states army and but trump has got to go while he’s got chance
I think Trump, Putin, leaders like that, don’t want to be too restricted by “the law”, their own or global or maybe just when it’s expedient to do so. Not sure now that the West can point fingers at Russia and China now when the West has a very wild boy in the top office. Sure hope UK and Europe and most of the rest of the world can remain moral and strong even if not perfect and stand alone more we have too.
US MiL must know that everyone needs useful playmates, aka, potential bodybags rather than their own good ‘ol boys.
Chickens might come home to roost a lot sooner than Dump calculates; and US MiL must know the epic piece of alienation that has taken place over the last few days might leave them high and dry.
Let’s sail straight for ‘straya and go AUKward, the Septics can learn what happens when allies desert them, ahem, Suez.
Leave the Americans to their own problems. They want to be isolationist, let them FA&FO. Britain and Europe has enough issues of its own, between security threats, economic issues, hard right racists, uneducated trumpers and farages that would rather avoid the prospect of war even when peace is something that cannot be secured through other means. On top of an ally which in recent weeks has acted more like an enemy that our greatest adversaries, and has stood against everything the western world was built upon in 1945 and became the biggest threat to democracy in modern times. The greatest… Read more »
Well we know where you stand now eh?
I agree with Joseph.
I agree and it sucks!!!
I agree and it is terrible. We reasonably got along with the US because we are easy going. Trump took that as a weakness…we are not weak
Well said, Joseph, and eloquently put.
If its routine, how is it newsworthy?
Trump is a bigger threat to democracy than Putin or Hitler
Isolationist is not friendly.
Switzerland is isolationist, are they not friendly as well? Or just sad the subsidies of European defense is on the go?