U.S. scrambled fighter jets to intercept Russian military aircraft near Alaska
Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter U.S. or Canadian territory
NORAD considers these regular occurrences not considered threats
Similar intercepts have occurred multiple times in recent months
📖 Full Retelling
U.S. fighter jets scrambled Thursday, February 19, 2026, to intercept multiple Russian bombers, fighter jets and a spy plane detected off the coast of Alaska, as the North American Aerospace Defense Command launched two F-16s, two F-35s and four KC-135s to escort the Russian aircraft until they had departed the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone. The Russian formation included two Tu-95s strategic bombers, two Su-35s fighter planes and an A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft, which remained in international airspace without entering U.S. or Canadian sovereign territory. NORAD emphasized that such Russian activity in the Alaskan ADIZ represents a regular occurrence that is not considered a threat to North American security, highlighting the nature of these intercepts as standard operational procedures rather than escalatory actions. The Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, a defined stretch of international airspace that begins where U.S. and Canadian sovereign airspace ends, requires the ready identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security, according to the defense command.
🏷️ Themes
Military Operations, International Relations, Air Defense
Airspace region unilaterally defined by a country to respond to aircraft
An air defense identification zone (ADIZ) is a region of airspace in which a country tries to identify, locate, and control aircraft in the interest of national security. It is declared unilaterally and may extend beyond a country's territory to give the country more time to respond to possibly host...
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (commonly abbreviated to NORAD NΟR-ad; French: Commandement de la défense aérospatiale de l'Amérique du Nord; CDAAN) is a bi-national mutual defense organization in Canada and the United States. Established 12 September 1957 as the North American Air Def...
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Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
The interception of Russian aircraft near Alaska highlights ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Russia and underscores the importance of airspace sovereignty. It demonstrates the U.S. military's readiness to monitor and respond to foreign aircraft in its defense zone.
Context & Background
Russian aircraft routinely fly in Alaskan ADIZ
NORAD has previously intercepted Russian and Chinese aircraft
Alaska ADIZ is international airspace beyond U.S. sovereign airspace
The U.S. has scrambled jets multiple times in the past year
The incident follows a 2024 joint Russian-Chinese incursion
What Happens Next
U.S. officials are likely to continue monitoring Russian air activity near Alaska, potentially increasing patrols. Diplomatic channels may be engaged to address the repeated incursions. The U.S. may also review its air defense protocols to ensure rapid response.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Alaskan ADIZ?
It is a stretch of international airspace beyond U.S. sovereign airspace where aircraft must be identified for national security.
Did the Russian aircraft enter U.S. airspace?
No, they remained in the Alaskan ADIZ and did not cross into U.S. or Canadian airspace.
How many U.S. jets were scrambled?
NORAD launched two F-16s, two F-35s and four KC-135s to escort the Russian aircraft.
Original Source
Politics U.S. fighter jets intercept Russian warplanes off Alaskan coast By Faris Tanyos Faris Tanyos News Editor Faris Tanyos is a news editor for CBSNews.com, where he writes and edits stories and tracks breaking news. He previously worked as a digital news producer at several local news stations up and down the West Coast. Read Full Bio Faris Tanyos February 19, 2026 / 11:58 PM EST / CBS News Add CBS News on Google U.S. fighter jets were scrambled Thursday to intercept multiple Russian bombers, fighter jets and a spy plane that were spotted flying off the coast of Alaska, U.S. authorities said. Two Russian Tu-95s bombers, two Su-35s fighter planes and an A-50 spy plane were detected in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, the North American Aerospace Defense Command reported in a statement. NORAD said it launched two F-16s, two F-35s and four KC-135s to escort the Russian aircraft until they had departed the Alaskan ADIZ. The Russian aircraft did not enter U.S. or Canadian airspace, said NORAD, which described Russia's activity in the Alaskan ADIZ as a regular occurrence that was not considered a threat. The Alaskan ADIZ is a stretch of international airspace that begins where U.S. and Canadian sovereign airspace ends. According to NORAD, it is a "defined stretch of international airspace that requires the ready identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security." In September 2025, the U.S. also scrambled fighter jets to intercept Russian Tu-95s and Su-35s in the Alaskan ADIZ. And last August, NORAD intercepted a Russian IL-20 COOT, a Cold War-era reconnaissance aircraft, four times in one week. In September 2024 , a 15-second video posted by NORAD showed a Russian fighter jet flying just feet away from a NORAD aircraft in the Alaskan ADIZ. In July 2024 , both Russian and Chinese bombers were intercepted by the U.S. after entering the Alaskan ADIZ. At the time, a U.S. defense official told CBS News this marked the first time that Russian...
