Russia said on Tuesday it had scrambled a Su-27 jet to intercept two US Air Force B-1B strategic bombers flying over the Baltic Sea and prevent them from violating Russian state borders.
A Russian Su-27 fighter was scrambled to intercept two US B-1B strategic bombers over the Baltic Sea, the Russian National Defense Operations Center reported on Tuesday.
"On March 23, 2023, Russia’s airspace surveillance spotted two air targets approaching the state border of the Russian Federation over the Baltic Sea. An Su-27 fighter from the Baltic Fleet’s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to identify the air targets and prevent the violation of the Russian state border," the National Defense Operations Center said in a statement.
The ministry stressed that the flight of the Russian fighter jet was carried out in strict accordance with international rules on the use of airspace over neutral waters.
The Baltic Sea has witnessed in recent months several interceptions by Russian, US and NATO aircraft.
Tensions over airspace and aerial conduct heightened between Moscow and the West last March when a US military surveillance drone (MQ-9 Reaper) crashed into the Black Sea, after an encounter with Russian Su-27 fighter jets in international airspace near territory Russia claims to have annexed from Ukraine.
The Su-27 crew identified the air targets as two US B-1B strategic bombers. The Russian border was not violated.
The Russian fighter jet safely returned to its home airbase after the foreign warplanes made a U-turn away from Russia’s state border, the Center reported.
"The Russian fighter’s flight proceeded in strict compliance with international rules of airspace usage," it said.
Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder confirmed that US aircraft were intercepted by Russia, saying the B-1 bombers were taking part in a “long-planned exercise in Europe."
It is the latest in a series of similar incidents.
Just over a week ago, Russia said two aircraft, one German and one French, were intercepted attempting to “violate
Just over a week ago, Russia said two aircraft, one German and one French, were intercepted attempting to “violate" its airspace.
Mid-April, Russia dispatched a fighter jet to escort a German naval aircraft over the Baltic Sea.
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