Russian warplanes stopped two American strategic bombers from crossing the state border over the Barents Sea, according to a statement released by Russia‘s Defense Ministry on Sunday.
The ministry stated in a statement that the military scrambled MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighter jets after spotting an aviation target nearing the Russian boundaries. The two aircraft were recognized by the MiGs as American Β-52H strategic bombers.
The American strategic bombers “altered their path of flight… … then, as the Russian fighter jets neared, turned away from the Russian Federation’s state border,” the ministry stated.
It further stated that the mission was conducted by Russian jets in accordance with international regulations regarding the use of airspace above neutral waters.
When Reuters reached out to the Pentagon for comment after regular business hours, the Pentagon did not immediately reply.
Similar events involving Russian planes confronting NATO military planes flying near its border during a period of high tension over the conflict in Ukraine have been recorded by Russia in the past.