![Image of a TU-95 bomber on August 18, 2012 [Karim Jamal/Wikipedia]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2012_08_18-Tu-95-bomberTu-95_bomber._-_panoramio-.jpg?fit=800%2C530&ssl=1)
US officials have revealed that pairs of Russian military aircraft have flown near the coast of Alaska on four occasions this week. The US air force intercepted the Russians twice.
The officials noted that the most recent sighting was late on Thursday, when an F-22 Raptor along with a Canadian SF-18 Hornet intercepted two Russian Tu-95 bombers.
North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) spokeswoman Lori O’Donley confirmed that all of the incidents occurred within international air space.
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NORAD is a joint US-Canada programme to monitor any advances on North America and defend its air space.