Current:Home > reviewsRussia says its fighter jets intercepted 2 U.S. strategic bombers in the Arctic -ProgressCapital
Russia says its fighter jets intercepted 2 U.S. strategic bombers in the Arctic
View
Date:2025-04-11 22:51:23
Russia said Sunday it scrambled fighter jets to intercept two U.S. military long-range bomber aircraft that approached the Russian border over the Barents Sea in the Arctic.
"The crews of the Russian fighters identified the aerial target as a pair of U.S. Air Force B-52H strategic bombers," Moscow's defense ministry wrote on the social media platform Telegram, specifying that the planes scrambled were MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighters.
"As the Russian fighters approached, the U.S. strategic bombers turned away from the State Border of the Russian Federation," the ministry said.
Russia has ramped up military operations in the Arctic Circle, including tests of advanced hypersonic missiles. Several years ago, a Russian natural gas tanker completed an experimental round trip along the Northern Sea Route, which connects Western Europe and the Atlantic Ocean to East Asia.
The U.S. routinely carries out flights over international waters. Moscow has recently responded more aggressively to the exercises, accusing the U.S. in June of using its reconnaissance drone flights over neutral waters in the Black Sea to help Ukraine strike Russian-occupied Crimea.
Last month, Moscow warned of a "direct confrontation" between Russia and NATO, and Russia's defense minister ordered officials to prepare a "response" to U.S. drone flights over the Black Sea, in an apparent warning it may take forceful action to ward off the American reconnaissance aircraft.
Washington and Moscow have clashed before over the issue. In March 2023, a Russian Su-27 fighter jet damaged a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone, causing it to crash into the Black Sea. It was the first direct clash between Russian and U.S. forces since the Cold War.
A repeat of such a confrontation could further fuel tensions over the war in Ukraine.
In May, a NATO source told Reuters that scrambles of NATO jets to intercept Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea region increased at least 20% in the first quarter of 2024.
- In:
- Arctic
- Russia
veryGood! (71)
Related
- The Daily Money: Disney+ wants your dollars
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Police remove gator from pool in North Carolina town: Watch video of 'arrest'
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Trump's 'stop
- Jamaica's Kishane Thompson more motivated after thrilling 100m finish against Noah Lyles
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
Recommendation
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast