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U.S. Military Scrambles Jets After Russian Aircraft Spotted Near Alaska

Friday, February 20, 2026 at 12:45 AM

NORAD launched multiple American fighter jets Thursday after detecting five Russian military aircraft in Alaska's air defense zone. The Russian planes stayed in international waters and were escorted away without incident.

American and Canadian defense officials dispatched fighter jets Thursday after spotting Russian military aircraft near Alaskan airspace, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

Defense officials identified five Russian aircraft operating within Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone, including two Tu-95 bombers, two Su-35 fighter jets, and one A-50 surveillance plane, NORAD announced in an official statement.

In response to the Russian presence, military commanders deployed eight American aircraft to monitor the situation: two F-16 fighters, two F-35 stealth jets, one E-3 surveillance aircraft, and four KC-135 refueling tankers, according to the joint U.S.-Canadian defense organization.

Officials emphasized that the Russian military planes never violated American or Canadian territorial airspace, remaining within international boundaries throughout the encounter. The U.S. aircraft accompanied the Russian planes until they exited Alaska’s defense identification zone, NORAD reported.

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