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Russian MiG-31 fighter intercepts US bombers over Barents Sea

The Russian fighter jet strictly followed the international rules of using the airspace over neutral waters, complying with safety measures, the ministry added

© Lev Fedoseyev/TASS

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. A Russian MiG-31 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept a pair of US strategic bombers approaching Russia’s state border over the Barents Sea, the Defense Ministry of Russia reported.

"On March 24, 2024, Russian airspace control capabilities spotted an aerial target over the Barents Sea approaching the state border of the Russian Federation. A MiG-31 fighter jet from air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to identify the aerial target and prevent it from violating Russia’s state border," the ministry said. "The fighter’s crew identified the aerial targets as a pair of B-1B strategic bombers of the US Air Force, it said.

"As the Russian fighter approached it, the US bombers U-turn from the state border of the Russian Federation," it said, adding that the Russian aircraft safely returned to its home airbase, preventing the violation of Russia’s state border.

The Russian fighter jet strictly followed the international rules of using the airspace over neutral waters, complying with safety measures, the ministry added.

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