Russian Fighter Jet Intercepts Norwegian P-8 Poseidon Surveillance Aircraft over Barents Sea

A Russian fighter jet was sent on its wings because a Norwegian plane was approaching Russian airspace over the Barents Sea, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

Lieutenant Colonel Reidar Flasnes at the Norwegian Armed Forces’ operational headquarters confirms the incident, but not that the Norwegian plane approached Russian airspace.

– It is true that a Norwegian P-8 aircraft was identified by a Russian aircraft in international airspace over the Barents Sea, he says to NTB.

– This is a purely routine operation where you walk on the wings and identify each other. Such operations are carried out by both Norway and Russia from time to time, says Flasnes.

Norwegian surveillance aircraft have regular flights over the Barents Sea.

– This is done to maintain control in our immediate areas, says Flasnes.

– There was nothing special about this flight, nor have I been told that there was any drama connected to it, he says.

From the Russian side, a fighter plane of the MiG-29 type was sent up to identify the Norwegian plane.