The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported that U.S. fighter jets were scrambled on Sunday to intercept a Russian spy plane near Alaska. This incident marks the third time in less than a week that U.S. forces have responded to a Russian aircraft detected in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

The ADIZ is a section of international airspace that both the U.S. and Canada monitor closely, extending outward from their territorial waters. NORAD stated that the Russian activity is routine and not considered a threat.

On Sunday, NORAD tracked an IL-20 COOT, a Cold War-era reconnaissance aircraft operated by the Russian military, within the Alaskan ADIZ. This follows similar sightings of the same type of aircraft on Wednesday and Thursday of the previous week. In each case, U.S. fighter jets were dispatched to monitor the situation.

The Russian aircraft did not enter U.S. or Canadian airspace, remaining in the international zone. NORAD has reported multiple instances of Russian warplanes in the Alaskan ADIZ this year, including sightings in April and July.

In January, U.S. and Canadian fighter jets were also deployed to track Russian warplanes over the Arctic amid rising geopolitical tensions. At that time, the U.S. military sent two fighter jets to Greenland to enhance NORAD's presence in the region.

In September 2024, NORAD released video footage showing a Russian jet flying dangerously close to its aircraft off the coast of Alaska. A U.S. general described the actions of one Russian Su-35 as "unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered all."

NORAD employs a comprehensive defense network that includes satellites, ground-based and airborne radars, and fighter aircraft to detect and track aircraft. The command emphasized its readiness to implement various response options to defend North America.