NORAD says for the second day in a row it detected, tracked, positively identified and intercepted four Russian aircraft approaching the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone on Tuesday.

Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace.

In a news release from the North American Aerospace Defense Command the Russian activity is characterized as regularly occurring near the North American ADIZ and is not seen as a threat, nor is the activity seen as provocative.

NORAD does not believe the Russian flight activity is related to the shooting down of airborne objects over North America during the last two weeks.

The Russian aircraft included a bomber as well as fighter jets.

Two NORAD F-35A fighters intercepted the Russian aircraft. Supporting NORAD aircraft included two F-16 fighters, one E-3 Sentry (AWACS) and two KC-135 Stratotankers.  AWACS provide airborne radar systems while the KC-135 can undertake mid-air refueling.