Russia scrambles jet in response to NATO patrols – National | 24CA News
Russia‘s protection ministry scrambled a fighter jet on Monday after it stated it detected French and German patrol plane flying in direction of Russian airspace, the ministry stated in an announcement.
France and Germany stated its planes – a French Atlantic 2 maritime patrol plane and a German P-3C Orion – had been conducting common flights as a part of a NATO train and behaved in accordance with worldwide legislation.
Russia stated its Su-27 jet returned to base after the French and German ones turned away from Russia, the protection ministry stated, including that it had scrambled the jet to “prevent the Russian state border being violated.”
A spokesman for the Germany navy stated: “Our P-3C Orion was on a surveillance mission over the Baltic Sea and flying, as per standard, towards Kaliningrad,” a Russian exclave wedged between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic sea.
“There was never any intention to enter Russian airspace, these aircraft always keep a safe distance. These flights are routine, and we don’t do anything to cause a provocation.”
France’s armed forces ministry additionally confirmed the incident in an announcement.
“As part of a NATO exercise, a Russian Su-27 fighter jet interacted with an Atlantic 2 maritime patrol aircraft off the Baltic States today. The approach was conducted in international airspace over the Baltic Sea and was professional and controlled,” it stated.
— Reporting by Moscow Newsroom, Sabine Siebold in Berlin and Marine Strauss in Paris; Editing by Alison Williams
