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Russia’s MiG-31 fighter scrambled to intercept Norwegian spy plane over Barents Sea

The Russian fighter’s crew identified the air target as a Norwegian Air Force Falcon 20 radio-technical reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft

© Russia’s National Defense Control Center/TASS

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. A Russian MiG-31 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept a Norwegian Air Force Falcon 20 reconnaissance aircraft over the neutral waters of the Barents Sea, Russia’s National Defense Control Center reported on Tuesday.

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"On August 4, 2020, the Russian airspace control systems detected an air target over the neutral waters of the Barents Sea approaching Russia’s state border. A MiG-31 fighter from the Northern Fleet’s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to intercept the target," the Center said.

The Russian fighter’s crew approached the air target at a safe distance and identified it as a Norwegian Air Force Falcon 20 radio-technical reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft, it said.

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