(NewsNation) — The North American Aerospace Defense Command said it sent nine fighter jets to identify and intercept Russian military planes flying near Alaska on Wednesday.

NORAD, a joint U.S.-Canada defense organization, said four Russian planes were spotted in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, an area of international airspace that requires identification of any aircraft.

The two Russian Tu-95s and two Su-35s operating in the zone did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace, according to NORAD.

"This Russian activity in the Alaskan ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat," NORAD said Thursday.

The NORAD aircraft that responded included an E-3, four F-16s, and four KC-135 tanker aircraft.

Wednesday's interaction is the latest in a trend of American jets sc

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