Canadian fighter jets have intercepted Russian bombers off Canada's northern coast for the first time in more than two years, as relations between Moscow and the West continue to worsen. The long-range bombers, which can carry nuclear weapons, were also tracked by U.S. F-22 jets based out of Alaska, said North American Aerospace Defence Command spokeswoman Maj. Jennifer Stadnyk. Stadnyk said the Russians never entered Canadian or American airspace, and acted "professionally and safely" before returning to their home base. The incident marked the first time since December 2014 that Canadian fighter jets have been scrambled to intercept Russian military aircraft flying in the Far North. Russian aircraft spotted four times in four daysIt was also the fourth time in as many days that Russian aircraft have been spotted approaching North American airspace.

Source: CBC News April 22, 2017 00:32 UTC