U.S. sounds alarm on Russian aircraft over Alaska as tensions rise over nuclear tests

The North American Aerospace Defense Command has issued a statement stating Russian military aircraft were detected operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone.

The Monday statement goes on to say the Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and stayed out of both U.S. and Canadian sovereign airspace, which the statement notes occurs often and “not seen as a threat.”

However, NORAD said it is employing a layered defense network which includes the use of satellites, radars, and fighter aircraft, to employ response options in defense of North America.