Russian Su-30SM fighter intercepts US spy plane over Okhotsk Sea

Military & Defense June 23, 2021, 15:25

On June 23, Russian radar stations detected an aerial target over the Sea of Okhotsk approaching Russia’s state border

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. A Russian Su-30SM fighter was scrambled to intercept a US Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance plane over the Sea of Okhotsk near Russian borders, Russia’s National Defense Control Center reported on Wednesday.

On June 23, Russian radar stations detected an aerial target over the Sea of Okhotsk approaching Russia’s state border, the National Defense Control Center said in a statement.

"A Su-30SM fighter of the Eastern Military District’s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to identify the aerial target and prevent it from violating the Russian state border," the statement says.

The fighter’s crew identified the aerial target as a US Air Force RC-135 strategic reconnaissance aircraft and shadowed it over the Sea of Okhotsk, the National Defense Control Center said.

After the foreign military plane made a U-turn from Russia’s state border, "the Russian fighter safely returned to its home airfield," the statement says.

The Su-30SM fighter performed its flight in strict compliance with the international rules of using airspace, the National Defense Control Center said.

"No violations of the Russian state border were allowed," it stressed.

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