A Russian MiG-31 fighter intercepted a Norwegian Air Force R-3C Orion base patrol aircraft over the Barents Sea. This was announced on Tuesday, May 11, by the press service of the Northern Fleet.
"An air target approaching the state border of the Russian Federation was detected over the Barents Sea. To identify the air target and prevent violations of the state border of the Russian Federation, a MiG-31 fighter from the Northern Fleet air defense forces on duty was lifted into the air, " the report says.
It is noted that the crew of the Russian fighter identified the air target as the aircraft of the basic patrol aircraft R-3C "Orion" of the Norwegian Air Force and escorted it over the Barents Sea.
The press service also pointed out that after the turn of the foreign military aircraft from the state border, the MiG-31 safely returned to the home airfield, adding that the flight of the Russian fighter was carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace. Violations of the state border of Russia are not allowed.
Earlier in the day, it was reported that a Russian Su-30 fighter intercepted two Mirage-2000 tactical aircraft and a French Air Force C-135 tanker over the Black Sea. On the eve of the Su-27 fighters also took to the air to escort the French Air Force Mirage-2000 aircraft over the Black Sea.
On May 6, a Russian MiG-31 took to the air to prevent an American RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft from violating the border over the Chukchi Sea.
