U.S. aircraft have intercepted long-range Russian bombers near Alaska for the second time in as many days, according to media reports Wednesday.

The incident occurred about 36 miles off the coast — closer than an incident on Monday — CNN reported, but the incident was not immediately confirmed by the Pentagon.

"They are testing U.S. resolve by sending their bombers toward the United States," said Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee told the network.

On Monday, two F-22 stealth fighter jets intercepted two Russian TU-85 "Bear" bombers in international airspace. The jets flew beside the bombers before breaking contact.

There was no evidence the Russian aircraft were armed and they did not violate U.S. airspace during the earlier incident, defense officials said.