Russian military aircraft detected off Alaska

Over the past week, American F-16 fighters have been dispatched twice -- once on Aug. 21 and once on Aug. 20 -- to intercept Russian Il-20 aircraft operating in the Alaska ADIZ. They intercepted a Russian aircraft in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone for the third time in the past week, NORAD said in a statement. The Russian Il-20 surveillance and reconnaissance was operating in the Alaskan ADIZ. It remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian airspace, NORAD said in its statement. "This Russian activity in the Alaskan ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat," it added.

So, why on earth are we intercepting Russian aircrafts for?

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FreddieUK · 70-79, M

Perhaps they are testing out the efficiency of any opposition they might meet should they decide on aggressive action? Europe has experience a lot of Russian activity both in sea and air for suspicious purposes over the past few years.

AthrillatheHunt · 51-55, M

@FreddieUK Russia has had a hard on for the Arctic for years and they are flexing

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@AthrillatheHunt You're so right. It's a place most people don't think about, but the USA, Russia and China have all got their eyes fixed on the mineral wealth in that area. Hence the Greenland nonsense that Trump came out with a few years ago and every now and again digs up when he needs another distraction.

AthrillatheHunt · 51-55, M

@FreddieUK they wanna do in the Arctic what China is doing in s China sea . Change their maritime borders .