India, Feb. 22 -- Military jets were launched to intercept five Russian aircraft that were flying in international airspace off Alaska's western coast, but military officials said the Russian aircraft were not seen as provocative. The North American Aerospace Defense Command said it detected and tracked two Russian Tu-95s, two Su-35s and one A-50 operating near the Bering Strait on Thursday.

In response, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) launched two F-16s, two F-35s, one E-3 and four KC-135 refueling tankers to intercept, identify and escort the Russian aircraft until they departed the area, according to a release from the command."The Russian military aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American...