MOSCOW: Russia announced on Monday that it had scrambled a MiG-29 fighter jet to intercept a Norwegian military patrol aircraft, identified as a P-8A Poseidon, over the Barents Sea. The Russian Defence Ministry stated that the action was taken to “prevent a violation” of its border.
The Norwegian aircraft was flying in international airspace near the maritime border between Russia and Norway. As the Russian fighter jet approached, the Norwegian plane altered its course and moved away from Russian borders, in accordance with international rules. The situation was resolved without any breach of airspace or dangerous maneuvers.
Norwegian Armed Forces Confirm the Incident
Lieutenant Colonel Reidar Flasnes from the Norwegian armed forces’ operational headquarters confirmed the incident, describing it as a routine identification operation carried out by both nations from time to time. Norway and Russia share a land border and a maritime border in the Barents Sea.
The interception occurred against the backdrop of heightened tensions and increased incidents involving Russian and Western aircraft in recent months, coinciding with Russia’s extensive military involvement in Ukraine.
In a separate development, the Russian Defence Ministry announced that some of its strategic bombers conducted scheduled flights over neutral waters in the Baltic and northern seas, including the Barents Sea.
