MOSCOW, October 24. /TASS/. A Russian Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept two US B-1B strategic bombers as they approached Russia’s state border over the Baltic Sea, the Defense Ministry of Russia reported on Tuesday.

"On October 24, 2023, Russian airspace control capabilities spotted two aerial targets over the Baltic Sea approaching the state border of the Russian Federation. A Su-27 fighter jet from air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to identify the aerial targets and prevent them from violating Russia’s state border," the ministry said in a statement.

The Su-27 fighter’s crew identified the aerial targets as two US Air Force B-1B strategic bombers, it said.

"As the Russian fighter approached them, the foreign strategic bombers made a U-turn from the state border of the Russian Federation. The Russian aircraft safely returned to its home airbase, preventing the violation of Russia’s state border," the ministry stressed.

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