Russian fighter did not allow Norwegian aircraft to approach the border

The Russian military did not allow a Norwegian plane, presumably a reconnaissance plane, to approach the state border of the Russian Federation. This was reported on Wednesday by the press service of the Northern Fleet.

The incident occurred on May 26 over the Barents Sea. Russian airspace control systems detected an unidentified air target approaching the state border of the Russian Federation. To identify it and prevent a violation of the border, a MiG-31 fighter was raised into the air, which is part of the air defense duty forces of the Northern Fleet.

It is noted that the crew of the Russian aircraft, when approaching the target, identified it as a base patrol aircraft R-3C “Orion” of the Norwegian Air Force. The Russian fighter escorted the intruder, allowing him to turn around and retreat over the Barents Sea. After that, the Russian fighter safely returned to the home base.

“The flight of the Russian aircraft was carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace,” the military emphasized.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the number of such incidents has increased dramatically recently.