North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked two Russian Tu-95s and two Su-35s operating within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on September 24, 2025. NORAD assets, including an E-3 aircraft, four F-16 fighter jets, and four KC-135 tankers, were deployed to positively identify and intercept the Russian aircraft. The NORAD detection and response occurred on September 24, 2025, as stated in a NORAD press release. This incident comes as China faces accusations of providing critical assistance to Russia for UAV production, despite Beijing denying military cooperation with Moscow. Chinese experts were reportedly observed visiting a Russian factory involved in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that are currently under Western sanctions. In separate developments previously reported, Ukraine's Air Force claimed on September 25th to have shot down a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber in the Zaporozhye region. The aircraft was reportedly returning from Kherson after conducting glide bomb strikes. Additionally, Ukrainian drones targeted an electrical substation in occupied Troitske, Luhansk People's Republic, causing a power outage. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on September 25th that American troops will not be involved in the conflict in Ukraine, with the U.S. opting instead to sell weapons to European nations for them to transfer to Kyiv. Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler reaffirmed Turkey's position on September 25th, stating that Ankara does not recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea and supports Ukraine's territorial integrity.
