NORAD Tracks Russian Tu-142 Military Aircraft Near Alaska in International Airspace

On March 4, 2026, the US and Canada, through NORAD, detected and tracked two Russian Tu-142 military aircraft near Alaska and Canada within the Alaskan and Canadian Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ). The planes remained in international airspace and did not enter sovereign territory. NORAD deployed fighter jets to monitor the flights, which are part of regular aerospace defense operations amid heightened geopolitical tensions involving US actions against Iran. The Tu-142 is a long-range maritime patrol aircraft capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons.