US Tracks Russian Aircraft Near Alaska

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracked Russian aircraft operating in the Alaskan air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on February 19, the organization reported.

Newsweek contacted the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for comment via email.

Why It Matters

Earlier this week, the U.S. and Russia held peace talks in Saudi Arabia without Ukraine. As Moscow and Washington work to repair diplomatic relations, NORAD's monitoring of Russia's aircraft activity in the ADIZ could affect the progress made.

The U.S.-Canadian organization also tracked and detected Russian aircraft activity in the ADIZ on February 18, and this type of monitoring two days in a row could indicate a lack of trust on Washington's part.

What To Know

In news releases published this week, NORAD said it had detected and tracked the Russian aircraft, which remained in international airspace and did not breach American or Canadian sovereign airspace.

According to the organization, Russian activity in the ADIZ "occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat."

It added, "An ADIZ begins where sovereign airspace ends and is a defined stretch of international airspace that requires the ready identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security."

NORAD uses a multipronged defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars, and fighter aircraft to detect and track aircraft activity and inform its response.

The organization is responsible for aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America. Aerospace warning comprises the "detection, validation, and warning of attack against North America whether by aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles." By ensuring aerospace sovereignty and air defense, NORAD also asserts aerospace control.

In September, U.S. fighter jets scrambled to monitor Russian aircraft activity near Alaska and intercepted two Russian TU-142 military aircraft.

What People Are Saying

The Canadian Joint Operations Command wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Feb. 18, 2025."

OSINTdefender, an account that regularly posts about global conflicts, wrote on X: "According to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), an unspecified amount and type of Russian aircraft were detected and tracked near the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). While the type of aircraft were not specified and the Russian Ministry of Defense has yet to release any media or statement on the event, in the past, Russian aircraft, including Tu-95 strategic bombers with escort Su-35 fighters, have been intercepted near the Alaskan ADIZ more than a few times in the past year."

What Happens Next

The U.S. will likely continue to monitor Russian aircraft in the ADIZ, even as it continues its talks with Moscow about ending the war in Ukraine.