The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) scrambled an E-3 Sentry surveillance plane, four F-16 fighters, and four KC-135 refueling tankers to track and identify the Russian aircraft, which included two Tu-95 "Bear" bombers and two Su-35 "Super Flanker" fighters. While the Russian planes remained in international airspace, the incident underscores the escalating geopolitical tensions as President Donald Trump renews calls for NATO to intensify support for Ukraine.

This was the ninth such interception this year and the third in just one month, according to NORAD. While the command downplayed the event as routine, the timing is far from coincidental. It follows Trump's recent statement on Truth Social, where he declared that Ukraine—with NATO's financial backing—could "fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form." His remarks signal a shift from earlier calls for Kyiv to negotiate concessions, instead urging a more aggressive stance against Russian aggression.

A pattern of provocation

The Alaska interception is just one piece of a broader pattern of Russian aerial incursions into NATO airspace. In recent weeks, Russian drones and warplanes have violated the skies of Poland, Romania, and Estonia—each time testing the alliance's resolve. On September 10, more than a dozen Russian drones entered Polish airspace before being shot down, prompting Prime Minister Donald Tusk to warn that his country was closer to armed conflict than at any time since World War II. Three days later, Romanian airspace was breached by another Russian drone, followed by an unprecedented 12-minute incursion by three Russian MiG-31 fighters into Estonia.

Russian officials have denied deliberate violations, but analysts suggest otherwise. Natia Seskuria, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), told The Independent that these incursions are "deliberate" and designed to probe NATO unity. "Putin is basically testing a Western response," she said, adding that the Kremlin is signaling its willingness to escalate unless it secures favorable terms in any peace negotiations.

Trump's warning and NATO's dilemma

Trump's latest statements add another layer of complexity. After previously advocating for Ukraine to make territorial concessions, he now asserts that with enough NATO support, Kyiv could reclaim all lost territory. His call for NATO to "shoot down" Russian aircraft entering allied airspace—while conditional on "circumstances"—raises the stakes. Meanwhile, NATO has already warned Russia that it will use "all means" to defend against further airspace violations, a stance that risks direct confrontation.

The Kremlin, for its part, has framed NATO's support for Ukraine as direct involvement in the war. "NATO is providing direct and indirect support to the Kyiv regime," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "It can be said with absolute certainty that NATO is fighting against Russia."

A dangerous game of brinkmanship

The Alaska interception, while not an immediate threat, serves as a reminder of how easily tensions could spiral. Russian warplanes have long tested U.S. defenses in the region, but the frequency of these incidents, coupled with drone strikes in Europe, suggests a calculated strategy to destabilize NATO's eastern flank. Denmark's recent drone incursions, which shut down major airports, further highlight the risks. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen hinted at Russian involvement, though Moscow denied responsibility.