Russia wondered if anyone in North America was watching. The North American Aerospace Defense Command was.
On Wednesday, with most of the world’s eyes on the burgeoning conflict in the Middle East, Russia sent two TU-142 military aircraft into the Alaskan and Canadian Air Defense Identification Zones, according to a NORADnews release.
Air Defense Identification Zones extended beyond a nation’s airspace and are patrolled to ensure neither the U.S. nor Canada is surprised.
After the Russian planes entered the space, NORAD sent a welcoming committee made up of two U.S. Air Force F-35 fighter aircraft, two F-22 fighter aircraft, four KC-135 tankers, one E-3 AWACS, two Canadian CF-18 fighter aircraft, and one CC-150 tanker.
#ICYMI: Defense of#NorthAmericafrom Russian Long-Range Aviation was a hallmark of#NORADin 2025, and we will continue that mission in 2026.#WeHaveTheWatch#AerospaceWarning#AerospaceControlpic.twitter.com/7yjbSpzmYi
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand)December 31, 2025
The mission’s goal was to identify, monitor, and intercept the aircraft.
As is normal with Russian incursions into the American and Canadian Air Defense Identification Zones, the Russian planes never entered sovereign airspace and turned back
“This Russian activity in the Alaskan and Canadian ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat,” NORAD noted in its release.
“NORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America,” the release said.
Source: VidNews » Feed
