MiG-31 escorts two US bombers near border, averting airspace breach
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When the MiG-31 approached the US bombers, they turned away from the Russian border.
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In this photo provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Feb. 14, 2022. A MiG-31 fighter of the Russian Air Force takes off at an air base during military drills in Tver, Russia. (RAP)
The Russian Defense Ministry on Sunday said a MiG-31 fighter jet from the Russian air defense forces was dispatched to prevent infringement upon Russian airspace after Russia's airspace control systems detected a group of air targets advancing towards the Russian state border on March 24.
As per the statement, the objects were identified as two US B-1B strategic bombers approaching the Russian border over the Barents Sea.
"On March 24, Russian airspace control systems over the Barents Sea detected a group of air targets approaching the Russian state border. A MiG-31 fighter jet of the air defense forces on duty was scrambled to identify the air target and prevent a violation of the Russian state border. The crew of the Russian fighter jet identified the air target as a pair of US Air Force B-1B strategic bombers," the ministry said in a statement.
When the MiG-31 approached them, the US bombers turned away from the Russian border, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Read more: NATO ready for war with Russia: NATO Military Committee
The Barents Sea is located off the northern coasts of Norway and Russia and is divided between Norwegian and Russian territorial waters.
On March 5, Russian military aircraft deployed a Su-27 fighter and intercepted an aircraft identified as a French Air Force E-3F AWACS over the Black Sea. Two Rafale-S multi-role fighters were also identified there. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that there was no violation of Russia's state border.
Wieder erhöhte Aktivitäten d.#NATO vor d.#Krim! Derartige Flüge finden meist vor Angriffen d.#ukraine auf die 🇷🇺 #SchwarzmeerFlotte statt.
— 🇦🇹 FS3 ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º (@FarSight3) March 6, 2024
Erst kürzlich wurde eine Gruppe von 2 Rafale & 1 E-3F AWACS 🇫🇷#Frankreich's von einem Russ. Su-27SM Jäger vor d.Krim z.Umkehr gezwungen. https://t.co/Be3Dd5V1XI pic.twitter.com/E4SVbnCkNM
This comes amidst an intensification of attacks directed at Russia. Moscow recently suffered a terrorist attack at its music venue, the Crocus City Hall. None of those detained so far were identified as Russians, yet some were found to have contacts with Ukraine.
Despite the evidence, Kiev denied Russian allegations of Ukraine's involvement.
Read more: Russia says NATO drills 'provocative', highlights defensive abilities
