THE US and Canada have scrambled fighter jets to intercept four Russian military planes off the Alaskan coast.
It comes as the EU warned the Kremlin it is “prepared to shoot down” any aircraft if “airspace violations continue”.
AlamyNato is scrambling to intercept four Russian jets flying over the Alaskan coast[/caption]
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said it tracked two Russian jets hovering over the Alaskan coast
They did not enter US or Canadian airspace, it added.
The planes were detected over the The Alaskan Air Defence Identification Zone.
European leaders warned Russia that Nato is prepared to shoot down Vlad’s aircrafts if “airspace violation” continues, according to reports.
Yvette Cooper yesterday slammed Moscow for its “provocative and reckless” violations into Nato airspace in recent weeks during a speech to the UN.
Ms Cooper told the UN on Tuesday: “Ukraine’s security is our security, and all of us depend on upholding the UN Charter.
“Russia’s actions seek to undermine democracy, secure conflict and spread instability far beyond Europe’s borders.
“In recent weeks, we’ve seen provocative and reckless violations of Nato airspace in Estonia, Poland and Romania, against which Nato stands firm, and we will be ready to act.”
She directly addressed Putin – warning his “reckless actions risk a direct armed confrontation between Nato and Russia”.
Ms Cooper added: “Be under no illusion. We stand ready to take all steps necessary to defend Nato’s skies and Nato’s territory.
“We are vigilant. We are resolute. And if we need to confront planes that are operating in Nato airspace without permission then we will do so.
“The United Kingdom stands by our friends. We are unwavering in our support for the principles of the UN Charter, for our Nato allies and for Ukraine.”
It comes just weeks after drones were shot down over Warsaw – forcing Poland to trigger Nato Article 4, one below the threshold of war.
It marked the first time since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 that Nato has directly engaged with Vlad’s forces.
The Polish site the drones are thought to have been targeting is providing military supplies to Ukraine, German newspaper Die Welt reported.