Routine Detection and Tracking of IL-20 COOT in International Airspace, Not Considered a Threat

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) successfully detected and tracked a Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

The Russian aircraft, an IL-20 COOT, was intercepted by a NORAD response force, which included an E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft, two F-16 fighter jets, and one KC-135 tanker.

According to a public affairs statement from NORAD, the response was a standard procedure to visually identify and monitor the Russian aircraft. The IL-20 remained in international airspace throughout the encounter and did not enter U.S. or Canadian airspace.

NORAD Public Affairs noted that this

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