Canadian and U.S. warplanes intercepted Russian bombers near Alaska in February 2025. Such intercepts, like the 2020 incident pictured, are routine, the command stated. NORAD
REUTERS
Several Russian strategic bombers and fighter jets were intercepted by North American air defense forces as they flew over international airspace near Alaska, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said. The aircraft, which were identified on February 10, 2025, did not enter United States or Canadian airspace and did not pose a threat, the joint Canadian-U.S. command said in a statement.
NORAD added that the Russian flights were in no way related to the mysterious spate of airborne objects shot down by the U.S. military over North America in the past few weeks, the details of which remain unknown. “NORAD had anticipated this Russian activity. … Two NORAD F-16 fighters intercepted the Russian aircraft,” the command said. “NORAD routinely monitors foreign aircraft movements and as necessary, escorts them,” the statement added.
Russia said on February 13, 2025, that it had carried out several flights over international waters in recent days, including in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia. It said two of its Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers had flown over the Bering Sea accompanied by Su-30 jets, and that it had made similar flights north of Norway and over international waters near Russia’s far east. It did not say whether its aircraft had been intercepted.
North American security forces have been on high alert since a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon crossed into U.S. airspace in 2023, prompting the U.S. to shoot it and other objects down as it combed the skies.
Two Dutch F-35 fighters intercepted a formation of three Russian military aircraft near Poland and escorted them out, the Netherlands’ defense ministry said in a statement on February 10, 2025. NATO member states have also ramped up military exercises in the Arctic in recent years, as Russia has expanded and renewed its military infrastructure in the region.