The US and Canada scrambled fighter jets to identify and intercept four Russian military planes off Alaska, amid growing concern over Moscow’s incursions into Nato airspace.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said it had detected and tracked two Russian Tu-95s and two Su-35s operating in the Alaskan Air Defence Identification Zone. They did not enter US or Canadian sovereign airspace.
NORAD said it responded by mobilising an E-3, four F-16s, and four KC-135 tanker aircraft.
The Alaskan Air Defence Identification Zone is an area of international airspace that requires the ready identification of all aircraft for national security purposes, NORAD said.
The incident follows several Russian incursions into Nato airspace in the past two weeks. Last Friday, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonia’s airspace for 12 minutes before Nato Italian fighter jets escorted them out.
Speaking during a press conference in the White House after the incident, Donald Trump did not address the jets but said he was “very disappointed” in Vladimir Putin for his ongoing war against Ukraine.
Key Points
- Trump says he's 'very disappointed' in Putin
- Rutte backs calls to shoot down Russian aircraft that violate Nato airspace
- Trump growing 'incredibly impatient' with Moscow, says Vance
- Zelensky warns UN: Russia could attack you next as Trump turns on Putin
Russia accuses West of waging ‘real war’
04:01 , Shweta SharmaRussia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has accused Nato and the European Union of using Ukraine to wage a “real war” against Moscow.
Lavrov claimed the West had provoked the conflict — a charge Britain dismissed as “false fantasy world distortions.”
Delivering his remarks at a G20 meeting of foreign ministers in New York, Lavrov repeated Moscow’s long-standing claim that it was Western actions that triggered the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
"Another clear example is the crisis in Ukraine provoked by the West, through which NATO and the EU have ... already declared a real war on my country and are directly involved in it," he said.
He made no reference to Donald Trump's comments earlier this week, instead repeating Russia's position that it was the West's actions that provoked the war in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s president says the world is in `the most destructive arms race in history’
04:00 , Tom Watling
Ukraine’s president says the world is in `the most destructive arms race in history’
Can Ukraine actually win the war? How Trump’s comments rattled Russia
03:04 , Tom Watling
Can Ukraine actually win the war? How Trump’s comments have rattled Russia
Zelensky warns UN: Russia could hit you next as Trump turns on Putin
02:04 , Tom Watling
Zelensky warns UN: Russia could attack you next as Trump turns on Putin
How Trump’s breakup with Putin helped push his big shift on Ukraine
01:02 , Tom Watling
How Trump’s breakup with Putin helped push his startling shift on Ukraine
Putin may be a ‘paper tiger’ but there’s a reason Nato is worried
Friday 26 September 2025 00:00 , Tom Watling
Putin may be a ‘paper tiger’ – but there’s a reason why he’s got Nato worried
Can Ukraine regain all its land lost to Russia? What experts say
Thursday 25 September 2025 23:01 , Tom Watling
Can Ukraine regain land occupied by Russia? Maps show scale of task facing Kyiv
Rutte backs calls to shoot down Russian aircraft that violate Nato airspace
Thursday 25 September 2025 22:51 , Tom WatlingNato chief Mark Rutte has agreed with Donald Trump’s calls to shoot down any Russian aircraft that violate the alliance’s airspace.
Following a spate of incidents involving Russian aircraft crossing into eastern European airspace, Western diplomats have reportedly warned Moscow that further incidences will result in fighter jets being shot down.
In an interview with Fox News, Rutte endorsed this message, also delivered by Trump in public comments.
Every time Russia has tested the airspace of Ukraine’s allies
Thursday 25 September 2025 22:03 , Tom Watling
Every time Russia has tested the airspace of Ukraine’s allies
IAEA says drone detonated near Ukraine's South Ukraine nuclear plant
Thursday 25 September 2025 21:49 , Tom WatlingA drone was downed and detonated approximately 800 metres (875 yards) from the perimeter of Ukraine's South Ukraine nuclear power plant overnight, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement on Thursday.
The agency said its team at the site was informed that 22 drones were observed in the plant's monitoring zone late on Wednesday and early on Thursday, with some flying as close as 500 metres.
Trump changed position on Putin after ‘briefing on planned Ukrainian offensive’
Thursday 25 September 2025 21:02 , Tom Watling
Trump changed position on Putin after ‘briefing on planned Ukrainian offensive’
ICYMI: Drones trigger widespread disruption at Norway and Denmark airports
Thursday 25 September 2025 20:00 , Steffie BanatvalaGerman defence minister warns against growing Russian threat in space
Thursday 25 September 2025 19:30 , Steffie BanatvalaGerman Defence Minister Boris Pistorius warned on Thursday about the growing threat posed by Russian space activities, citing concerns over two Russian satellites shadowing Intelsat satellites used by German forces and others.
"Russia and China have expanded their capabilities for warfare in space rapidly over the past years: They can disrupt satellite operations, blind satellites, manipulate or kinetically destroy them," he told a space conference in Berlin.
Pistorius underscored the need for talks on developing offensive capabilities in space as a deterrent, pointing to Russia's use of two of its Luch Olymp satellites to track Intelsat satellites.
Can Trump’s seismic shift on Ukraine be trusted?
Thursday 25 September 2025 19:00 , Steffie Banatvala
Ukrainian naval drones hit Russian ports in Novorossiisk, Tuapse, Kyiv source says
Thursday 25 September 2025 18:30 , Steffie BanatvalaUkrainian naval drones hit Russian ports in Novorossiisk and Tuapse in an attack on Wednesday, a Ukrainian intelligence source said on Thursday.
The source said the attacks temporarily suspended operations at Russia's oil pipeline monopoly Transneft's oil pumping complex, and also an oil terminal of the Caspian oil pipeline consortium.
Zelenska meets with Melania Trump
Thursday 25 September 2025 18:16 , Tom WatlingUkraine’s First Lady has met with her American counterpart Melania Trump.
“I am pleased to see that we share common values — care for the younger generation and the right of every child to a happy and fulfilling childhood,” she said in a statement on X.
“I am sincerely grateful to Mrs. Melania for her support of Ukraine and attention to those affected by the war unleashed by Russia. I believe that together we can protect the most valuable thing — our future.”
I had a meeting with the First Lady of USA Melania Trump @FLOTUS. I am pleased to see that we share common values — care for the younger generation and the right of every child to a happy and fulfilling childhood. I am sincerely grateful to Mrs. Melania for her support of Ukraine… pic.twitter.com/p6ngHmS6YS
— Olena Zelenska / Олена Зеленська (@ZelenskaUA) September 25, 2025
Russian attack cuts off power for 30,000 consumers in Ukraine's Chernihiv, local official says
Thursday 25 September 2025 18:00 , Steffie BanatvalaAbout 30,000 consumers in Ukraine's northern city of Chernihiv and the surrounding district are facing power cuts after a Russian attack on critical infrastructure, a local official said on Tuesday.
The attack caused a fire, he added on Telegram messenger, saying there were no casualties.
Mapped: Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Thursday 25 September 2025 17:30 , Steffie BanatvalaTrump says he's 'very disappointed' in Putin
Thursday 25 September 2025 17:08 , Tom WatlingDonald Trump has said he is “very disappointed” in his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, who has consistently blocked attempts end his war of aggression against Ukraine.
“I'm very disappointed in Putin,” Trump said. “And he's been fighting hard, he's been fighting long, and they lost millions.
“They lost like a million soldiers. And you know, they've with all of the heavy bombardment over the last two weeks, they've gained almost no land. Think of that. They've gained almost no land.
“And I'm not going to ever call anybody a paper tiger, but Russia spent millions and millions of dollars in bombs, missiles, ammunition, and lives, their lives, and they've gained virtually no Land. I think it's time to stop. I really do.”
Trump says Nato relationship 'very good'
Thursday 25 September 2025 17:03 , Tom WatlingDonald Trump has claimed that the American relationship with Nato is “very good”.
Speaking at a press conference in the White House with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump said: "We're in Nato, and you know, they're paying now 5% of GDP. Nobody thought that was possible. But they agreed to that six months ago, when I was there, and the relationship is very good.
“The Nato countries, I mean, with us, [the alliance] is the strongest it's ever been.”
Russia trains abducted Ukrainian children in grenades, drone-building: The i
Thursday 25 September 2025 17:00 , Steffie BanatvalaRussia is training abducted Ukrainian children to throw grenades and build drones, The i reports.
The children are required to take part in shooting practice, grenade-throwing competitions and training in drone control and tactical medicine, a report from Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) shows.
Abducted children previously told researchers that they are forced to speak Russian and learn the country’s version of history.
Putin's pilots waved at NATO jets during stand-off: reports
Thursday 25 September 2025 16:30 , Steffie Banatvala
During a tense 12 minute stand-off in Estonian airspace, two Italian F-35 pilots encountered three Russian nuclear-capable MiG-31 jets.
The Russian jets had their transponders turned off, preventing radio contact with the Nato pilots.
The Italians rocked their wings from side to side, beginning a routine interception procedure.
Russians mirrored the manoeuvre and gave a friendly wave, The Telegraph reported.
The two Italians then trailed the Russian pilots to the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
Explained: what are NATO obligations as drones appear in Europe?
Thursday 25 September 2025 16:00 , Steffie BanatvalaDenmark said on Thursday it was weighing whether to invoke Article 4 of NATO's founding treaty after drone incursions briefly shut two of its airports and affected military installations in its western Jutland region overnight.
- Article 4 states that NATO members will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territory, political independence or security of any of them is threatened.
- Under Article 4, discussions at the North Atlantic Council could lead to some form of joint decision or action.
- If Russia were determined to have attacked the territory of a member state, the focus would then shift to Article 5.
- Article 5 stipulates that "the Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all".
Watch: Zelensky warns ‘Ukraine is only the first’ after Trump turns on Moscow
Thursday 25 September 2025 15:45 , Steffie BanatvalaNATO's Rutte: members can target Russian aircraft entering NATO space when necessary
Thursday 25 September 2025 15:30 , Steffie BanatvalaNATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday backed US President Donald Trump's comments this week that NATO member countries should shoot down Russian drones and airplanes if they enter their airspace, if such a move was necessary.
"If so necessary. So I totally agree here with President Trump: if so necessary," Rutte said in an interview on Fox News' "Fox & Friends" program, adding that NATO militaries are trained to assess such threats and determine whether they can escort Russian planes out of allied territory or take further action.
Germany's Merz says 'effective deterrence' needed to stop airspace violations
Thursday 25 September 2025 15:00 , Steffie BanatvalaGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for "effective deterrence" by NATO in response to repeated airspace violations by Russia.
"We will not allow these attacks to continue," Merz said at a press conference with state governors.
The German leader said he found NATO's position on the matter "absolutely right", after the alliance warned Russia on Tuesday that it would use "all necessary military and non-military tools" to defend itself.
Russia's Medvedev threatens America with 'weapons a bomb shelter won't protect against'
Thursday 25 September 2025 14:30 , Steffie BanatvalaThe Kiev drug addict said the Kremlin should know where a bomb shelter is so its occupants can hide when he uses long-range American weapons. What the freak needs to know is that Russia can use weapons a bomb shelter won't protect against. Americans should also keep this in mind.
— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) September 25, 2025
NATO states must respond firmly but proportionally to airspace breaches, Romania says
Thursday 25 September 2025 14:00 , Steffie Banatvala
European states must get used to provocations like having their national airspace breached and must respond "firmly but proportionally," Romanian Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu has said after a meeting of the top defence council.
The council agreed on clear chain of command in case of airspace breaches by manned and unmanned aircraft, Mosteanu said. Romania has had drone fragments fall repeatedly on its territory since Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine.
US and Canada scramble fighter jets to intercept Russian military planes off Alaska
Thursday 25 September 2025 14:00 , Daniel KeaneThe North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) scrambled fighter jets on Wednesday to identify and intercept four Russian military planes off Alaska, the U.S and Canadian defence organisation said in a statement on Thursday.
NORAD detected and tracked two Russian Tu-95s and two Su-35s operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, the statement said.
NORAD said it responded by mobilizing an E-3, four F-16s, and four KC-135 tanker aircraft.
Polish PM warns against 'illusions' over Trump's Ukraine rhetoric
Thursday 25 September 2025 13:30 , Steffie BanatvalaPoland's prime minister has cautioned against having any "illusions" about Donald Trump's stance on Ukraine, after the US president said in a rhetorical shift that he believed Kyiv could retake all its land occupied by Russia.
"President Trump stated that Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, could reclaim its entire territory," Tusk wrote on social media platform X on Thursday.
"Behind this surprising optimism lies a promise of reduced US involvement and a shift of responsibility for ending the war to Europe. Better truth than illusions."
Trump's comments on Tuesday prompted relief among some but also suspicion among others that he is ready to leave Europe more to its own devices in supporting Ukraine against Russia's invasion.
Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant remains a concern for IAEA, Grossi says
Thursday 25 September 2025 13:00 , Steffie BanatvalaThe situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains a concern for the International Atomic Energy Agency, which continues to monitor developments on a daily basis, Interfax news agency reported, citing IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
The plant in southern Ukraine has been under Russian control since the early weeks of the war, and each side has repeatedly accused the other of shelling it.
At White House, Erdogan to seek deal with Trump on F-35s
Thursday 25 September 2025 13:00 , Steffie BanatvalaUS President Donald Trump will host President Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on Thursday, where the Turkish leader hopes to leverage the countries' warmest bilateral ties in years to convince Washington to drop U.S. sanctions and allow it to purchase F-35 fighter jets.
