US Denies Russia Intercepted Bombers Over Baltic Sea, Flights Stayed in Estonia

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Russia did not intercept any US bombers over the Baltic Sea on Monday despite claims to the contrary by the Russian Defense Ministry, US Air Forces Europe said.

On Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry’s National Defense Control Center reported the detection of two US B-52 strategic bombers flying toward Russia over the Baltic Sea. Russia scrambled a Su-35 fighter jet in response, which returned to its base without incident after the US aircraft left the area, the center said.

"Yesterday two B-52s conducted a long-range Bomber Task Force mission with NATO Allies and Partners in Estonian airspace," US Air Forces Europe said in a statement on Tuesday. "The flights remained within Estonian airspace the entire flight at an approx. distance of 50 nautical miles from Russian air space. At no point did B-52's make contact with Russian aircraft."

The mission was part of routine scheduled training operations and executed in accordance with international flight standards, the statement added.

Russia likewise claims the jet it had scrambled acted in accordance with international rules for the use of airspace.