NORAD on February 19, 2026, detected a Russian air formation, including Tu-95 bombers and Su-35 fighters, operating inside the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone and launched a multi-aircraft intercept. The response underscores continued U.S. vigilance in the Arctic as Russian long-range aviation activity remains steady near North American airspace.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command announced February 19, 2026, that it detected and tracked a five-aircraft Russian formation operating within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, prompting the launch of two F-16 Fighting Falcons, two F-35 Lightning II fighters, an E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft, and four KC-135 Stratotankers to identify and escort the aircraft. According to NORAD, the formation included two Tupolev Tu-95 strategic bombers, two Sukhoi Su-35 fighters, and one Beriev A-50 airborne early warning aircraft. The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter the United States or Canadian sovereign territory, but their presence triggered a coordinated response designed to monitor and deter potential threats in the increasingly strategic Arctic region.
The Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, or ADIZ, is a buffer area located beyond national airspace where aircraft are expected to identify themselves for security purposes. It forms part of an integrated aerospace defense architecture jointly managed by Washington and Ottawa, combining long-range ground-based radars, space-based sensors, and airborne assets. Within this framework, any activity inside the ADIZ triggers established procedures designed to determine the identity, flight path, and intent of detected aircraft.
The composition of the Russian formation reflects a coordinated operational structure. The Tupolev Tu-95, designated Bear by NATO, remains a key element of Russia’s long-range aviation fleet. Powered by four Kuznetsov NK-12 turboprop engines with contra-rotating propellers, the aircraft has a range exceeding 12,000 kilometers and can carry cruise missiles such as the Kh-101, which is assessed to have a range of more than 2,500 kilometers. This standoff capability allows the bomber to conduct strike missions without entering defended airspace, reinforcing its deterrence role.
The Sukhoi Su-35 fighters provide escort and air-superiority coverage. Equipped with the Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array radar, reportedly capable of detecting large aerial targets at several hundred kilometers, the Su-35 can employ beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles from the R-77 family. Their presence enhances the protection of the formation during long-range missions and supports coordinated operations with the bombers. The Beriev A-50, based on the Il-76 airframe and fitted with the Shmel radar housed in a rotating dorsal radome, adds an airborne command-and-control layer. The system is designed to track multiple aerial targets at extended ranges, allocate tasks, and facilitate data exchange between platforms.
On the North American side, the F-35 Lightning II contributes advanced detection capabilities through its AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array radar and distributed aperture infrared sensor system, supporting early identification and tracking. The F-16 Fighting Falcon, capable of speeds above Mach 2, remains a standard alert interceptor and can employ AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles for engagements beyond visual range. The E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System extends radar coverage over broad sectors and provides airborne battle management, while the KC-135 Stratotanker sustains fighter operations over long distances through in-flight refueling, a critical factor in the Arctic environment.
