US fighter jets intercept Russian bombers off Alaska’s coast

Russian warplanes have been detected flying near Alaska for the ninth time this year, US authorities have said.

The US and Canada scrambled fighter jets to identify and intercept four Russian military planes in Alaska’s Air defense Identification Zone on Wednesday, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

The zone is not part of US or Canadian airspace but rather an area of international airspace with special rules.

Aircraft entering the space must identify themselves or domestic military planes will be launched to confirm identification.

NORAD said the squad of Russian planes consisted of two Tu-95 bombers and two Su-35 fighter jets.

In a statement, it added that such activity near Alaska occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat.

Earlier this week, Nato warned Russia it would respond decisively to any further breaches of its airspace after two incidents.

On two separate occasions this month, Russian drones were downed over Poland and Estonia said Russian fighter jets had flown into its airspace.

Donald Trump said Nato members should shoot down Russian aircraft that enter their airspace but did not commit to backing up US allies in such an event.

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