On August 20, 2025, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) confirmed that a Russian Il-20M “Coot-A” electronic intelligence aircraft was detected inside the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The plane remained in international airspace, never breaching U.S. or Canadian sovereign borders, but its presence prompted a standard interception response.
According to NORAD, two F-16 fighters supported by a KC-135 tanker were scrambled to visually identify and monitor the Russian aircraft. The mission was carried out in line with long-established procedures, underscoring the readiness of U.S. and Canadian forces to defend North American skies.
An ADIZ does not represent national airspace but serves as a security buffer, giving early warning of foreign aircraft that might approach territorial boundaries. Officials stress that such zones are critical for rapid identification and deterrence.
The Il-20M, a specialized aircraft developed from the Il-18D airliner by the Ilyushin Design Bureau, has been in service since 1969. Designed for electronic reconnaissance, it carries a suite of advanced sensors including side-looking radars, panoramic cameras, infrared scanners, and multiple antennas. Its mission systems—such as the Vischnya, SRS-4 Romb, and Kvadrat-2 complexes—allow interception of communications and detection of enemy radar emissions, providing valuable intelligence to Russian command centers.
NORAD highlighted that the interception was part of its layered defense system, which integrates satellites, ground radars, airborne sensors, and fighter patrols. This network ensures constant surveillance and rapid response to any aerial activity near the continent.
While the flight posed no direct threat, U.S. defense officials noted that such encounters are recurring in the Arctic region, reflecting the strategic significance of Alaska as a focal point in U.S.-Russia military interactions.
