Russia Intercepts Norwegian Aircraft Over Barents Sea For Second Day in Row

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A Russian MiG-31 fighter jet on Thursday intercepted a Norwegian R-8A Poseidon base patrol aircraft flying over neutral waters in the Barents Sea, preventing the violation of the state border, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"On August 24, 2023, Russian means of airspace control over the waters of the Barents Sea detected an air target approaching the state border [airspace] of the Russian Federation. A MiG-31 fighter from the air defense forces of [Russia's] Northern Fleet took off to identify the air target and prevent a violation of the Russian state border. The crew of the Russian fighter identified the air target as an R-8A Poseidon base patrol aircraft of the Norwegian Air Force," the ministry said in a statement.

The Norwegian aircraft made a U-turn when the Russian fighter jet approached to prevent a violation of the Russian state border.

The flight of the MiG-31 was carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace over neutral waters, the fighter did not cross air routes, nor did it perform any dangerous approach with the foreign aircraft, the ministry stressed.

A similar incident with a Norwegian aircraft near Russia's airspace occurred on Wednesday.