The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected four Russian military aircraft flying near Alaska yesterday, reports CNN, quoted by News.bg.
This comes less than two weeks after US troops were deployed to the area as part of "force protection operation" amid increased military exercises by Russia and China in the region.
The Russian planes remained in international airspace, within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, and did not enter US or Canadian sovereign airspace, NORAD said. They added that this Russian activity occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat.
NORAD has intercepted Russian military aircraft flying near Alaska several times this month.
The Army sent troops from the 11th Airborne Division to Shemya Island, Alaska, on Sept. 12 as a demonstration of "deadly force at the ready" in response to Russian military exercises in the area. The unit, known as the Arctic Angels, is normally stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson; and at "Fort Wainwright" in Alaska.