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| Six Russian fighter jets intercepted by off Alaska | Six Russian fighter jets intercepted by off Alaska |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Six Russian fighter jets were intercepted by American and Canadian planes off the coast of Alaska on Wednesday, US defence officials have confirmed. | Six Russian fighter jets were intercepted by American and Canadian planes off the coast of Alaska on Wednesday, US defence officials have confirmed. |
| They entered what is known as the Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), but did not enter US air space. | They entered what is known as the Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), but did not enter US air space. |
| The planes, two of which were MiG 31 jets, left the area without incident. | The planes, two of which were MiG 31 jets, left the area without incident. |
| Officials said this type of incident was not uncommon, and happens up to 10 times a year. | Officials said this type of incident was not uncommon, and happens up to 10 times a year. |
| The ADIZ is a zone of airspace which extends out approximately 200 miles from the coastline and is mainly within international airspace. | The ADIZ is a zone of airspace which extends out approximately 200 miles from the coastline and is mainly within international airspace. |
| US sovereign air space extends 12 nautical miles from land. | |
| Two Alaskan-based F-22 fighter jets and two Canadian CF-18 fighter jets were scrambled to intercept the Russian planes in two separate incidents on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. | |
| Also on Wednesday, the Swedish Foreign Ministry said two Russian military aircraft had crossed into Swedish air space south of the Baltic Sea island of Oland. | Also on Wednesday, the Swedish Foreign Ministry said two Russian military aircraft had crossed into Swedish air space south of the Baltic Sea island of Oland. |
| The ministry called it a "serious violation". | The ministry called it a "serious violation". |
| Sweden has said it has summoned the Russian ambassador over the incident. | Sweden has said it has summoned the Russian ambassador over the incident. |