By SUZANNE DOWNING
March 5, 2026 – Two Russian strategic bombers flew into the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone late Wednesday, prompting a coordinated response from US and Canadian forces. It’s part of a growing pattern of military activity near the state.
According to US Sen. Dan Sullivan, two Russian Tu-142 “Bear” maritime patrol bombers entered both the Alaska and Canadian ADIZ while flying over the Arctic Ocean parallel to Alaska’s North Slope.
The aircraft were intercepted by US forces operating out of Alaska. Fighter jets from Eielson Air Force Base launched F-35 aircraft to shadow the bombers, supported by airborne early warning aircraft and tanker planes as the Russian aircraft traveled east across the Arctic.
Once the aircraft crossed into Canada’s air defense identification zone, Canadian forces assumed responsibility for the intercept.
Russian bombers, fighters detected in Alaska air defense zone; NORAD scrambles intercepts
As the bombers turned back toward Russia, additional US fighters from Joint Base Elmendorf‑Richardson in Anchorage launched F-22 aircraft to escort the Russian planes until they exited the Alaska ADIZ.
Air Defense Identification Zones are areas beyond a nation’s sovereign airspace where aircraft are identified and monitored for national security purposes. Entering an ADIZ is not considered a violation of sovereign airspace, but military aircraft operating there are routinely intercepted and tracked by defending forces.
Sullivan said the latest incident reflects a pattern of increasingly frequent Russian and Chinese activity near Alaska.
“Alaskans should be aware that these incursions by our adversaries are happening regularly,” Sullivan said in a statement posted on social media. “These operations are likely being signed off directly by the dictators of Russia and China—Putin and Xi Jinping.”
The intercept occurred as the United States is also conducting major military operations in the Middle East.
Sullivan said he raised concerns about increasing Arctic military activity during two hearings in the past week, one hearing held in Anchorage that focused on US maritime investments in the Arctic and another before the Senate Armed Services Committee on military readiness.
During the Anchorage hearing, witnesses testified that Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic is becoming “the new normal.”
At the same time, he said the Pentagon has begun to recognize the strategic importance of Alaska and the Arctic after years of advocacy from Alaska’s congressional delegation.
“Today we are undertaking the most significant military buildup in infrastructure and capabilities in Alaska since World War II,” Sullivan said. “Billions of dollars are flowing into our state, with more to come.”
2 thoughts on “More Russian bombers patrolled Alaska this week: Sen. Dan Sullivan”
The increased activity of the arctic between Russia and China, I wonder if their military is researching for future geographic explorations, defense. Because of the increasing interest in the Arctic if I was them I’d want to know Everything about the Arctic before others for having more control and power.
Humble byte- military funding is only good as God is protecting America delaying his judgement and wrath not giving us over to our enemies or letting the country implode on itself
It’ll not only take military strength to defend us but the people of Alaska need to be independent (not government dependent) and more smarter than a third grade education.
Test, test! Check, check!
Can you hear me now?!
Love, Xi & Vlad