(NewsWorthy.news.com) – Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed on July 21 that Russian MiG fighter jets detected two approaching US Air Force В-52Н bombers and prevented them from breaching Russian airspace. According to the ministry’s statement, the MiGs approached the American bombers over the Barents Sea, forcing them to alter their flight course before they were able to breach the state border.
The ministry stressed that the Russian jets acted in compliance with international laws regarding airspace over neutral waters. This is not the first time the Kremlin has reported such incidents since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022. In May 2023, Russia sent an Su-27 fighter jet to intercept two US Air Force B-1B bombers flying over the Baltic Sea close to the Russian border. In March 2023, Russian jets intercepted and shot down a US surveillance drone in international airspace over the Black Sea.
In the early stages of the war in Ukraine, concerns were raised about calls to establish a “no-fly zone”and bar Russia from all European Union airspace. Some skeptics, such as International Crisis Group director Olga Oliker, claimed in February 2022 that such measures involve deciding to shoot planes out of the sky. Oliker argued that a no-fly zone would not act as a “magical umbrella” to prevent airspace violations, and that it only risked escalating tensions into all-out war. President Joe Biden acknowledged the risks and ruled out direct US intervention in the conflict.
After the no-fly zone was introduced, Russia soon brought in similar measures barring operators from the United Kingdom, the US, the EU and Canada from its airspace. By April 2023, the measures taken on both sides had led to increases in the cost and length of flights, especially those leaving Europe for destinations in Asia that were forced to take lengthy detours.
Russia has been accused by several countries of violating their airspace; in December 2023 Poland claimed that a Russian missile destined for Ukraine entered Polish airspace. In August 2023, Russian planes approached NATO airspace near Alaska and the European Union in two separate incidents in one day.
A Russian plane was suspected to have violated Finland’s airspace in June 2024. In the same month, two Swedish Jas-39 Gripen fighter jets intercepted a Russian SU-24 bomber that had violated Swedish airspace. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström called Russia’s behavior in the incident “unacceptable” and said the ministry was in contact with allies to discuss the concerns.
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