Russia intercepts U.S., Swedish jets to prevent border violation

World
Europe

00:34

Russia said on Tuesday that it has intercepted American and Swedish spy jets over the Baltic Sea where NATO is holding drills.

According to a statement by Russia's defense ministry, one of its Su-27 fighter jets detected two air targets approaching its border over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea.

"On June 10, the Russian airspace control services over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea detected two air targets approaching Russia's state border. A Su-27 fighter jet of the Baltic Fleet's Air Defense Forces was scrambled to intercept the targets," it said.

Estonian army soldiers attend an urban fight exercise during the Spring Storm military drill near the border with Russia in Sillamae, Estonia, May 7, 2019. /VCG Photo

The Russian fighter jet's crew approached the air targets at a safe distance and identified them as the U.S. RC-135 and Swedish Gulfstream reconnaissance jets, Tass reported.

Moscow said both were escorted to prevent a "violation of Russia's national border".

Russia: U.S. creates 'additional tensions'

Earlier, Moscow had scrambled two Sukhoi SU-27 fighter jets to intercept a U.S. B-52 strategic bomber which radar systems indicated was flying toward Russia's borders, albeit at a considerable distance.

Russia's defense ministry said on March 21 the fighter jets had returned to base after the B-52 changed course and headed in the opposite direction.

Russian Air Force aerobatic demonstration team performs air maneuvers using the Sukhoi SU-27s fighter aircraft at the Sakhir Airbase, south of the Bahraini capital Manama, November 14, 2018. /VCG Photo

“In general, I will limit myself to only saying that of course such actions by the United States do not lead to a strengthening of an atmosphere of security and stability in the region that directly adjoins Russia's borders,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call.

“On the contrary, they create additional tensions.”

Strained ties

Relations between Russia and NATO have been acutely strained since the hostility grows between Russia and Ukraine.

Russia accused the Western military alliance of an unjustified military build-up near its borders, while NATO has condemned Moscow for building up its own forces in Crimea and the Black Sea region.

(With input from agencies)