Russian aircraft detected close to Alaska airspace

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Russian surveillance aircraft were spotted near Alaskan airspace by the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region office three times this week, according to a NORAD press release.

NORAD said in the Thursday release that on three separate occasions over the past three days, the office “detected, tracked and identified Russian surveillance aircraft entering and operating within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone.”

While the Russian aircraft did not leave what is considered international airspace and did not enter strictly sovereign American or Canadian airspace, according to the command, the aircraft did enter the zone that is seen by some as a contentious space. The command said the three incidents this week were not seen as threats.

NORAD has previously released statements identifying Russian aircraft in the area.

This article has been updated with additional information.

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