A recent incident involving Russian warplanes off the coast of Alaska has raised alarms, as military officials report a noticeable uptick in activity.
The event has sparked concerns, although there’s no immediate indication that the aircraft entered US or Canadian airspace.
Aircraft Stay in International Airspace
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) confirmed that the Russian aircraft did not breach the sovereign airspace of either the US or Canada.
Despite this, the planes did come close, flying in the vicinity of Alaska, prompting increased vigilance.
Air Defense Identification Zone Explained
The planes were observed flying in the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), a region beyond the US’s sovereign airspace.
While not technically violating national airspace, aircraft operating in the ADIZ are required to identify themselves.
NORAD keeps a close watch over this area to ensure national security and readiness in case of any unforeseen developments.
A Pattern of Provocations
This incident follows a similar occurrence from just two months ago, when US fighter jets were dispatched to the ADIZ after detecting four Russian military aircraft, including two bombers.
The previous event in December also involved Russian planes near the Alaskan coast, signaling a recurring pattern.
Rising Concerns Over Russian Military Activity
US officials are increasingly concerned about these violations of the ADIZ, as they coincide with a more aggressive stance from Russia toward the US.
The military has ramped up surveillance, anticipating further provocations.
What’s next in this tense situation remains to be seen, but it’s clear that heightened monitoring of the area will continue.