Russian craft intercepted

TWO Russian aircraft that came within 80km of Unimak Island along Alaska’s Aleutian chain were intercepted late Wednesday.

The incident marked the fifth time this month that such an intercept has taken place, General Terrence J O’Shaughnessy, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, said.

NORAD said the Russian aircraft did not enter US or Canadian airspace during the roughly four-hour flight in the region. The Russian planes were identified as IL-38 maritime patrol aircraft.