Russia deployed fighter jets to bombers into airspace close to the four member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
This deployment was carried out amid increasing tensions between NATO and Russia recently.
Until now, it is not known the exact purpose of the deployment. However, some experts say such activity could help Russia gather information and monitor the activities of other countries.
Russia deployed their military aircraft in recent days, including three of them on Monday (14/8).
England
Russian bombers reportedly crossed Scotland’s international airspace on Monday. Scotland shares a 96 kilometer border with England.
Responding to the presence of the Russian bombers, the British military launched Typhoon fighter jets.
“The pilots launched their Typhoon jets to intercept two Russian bombers this morning, watching them pass over the northern Shetland Islands [Scotland],” said Britain’s Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey, as quoted by Reuters.
The UK routinely deploys Typhoon jets for incidents related to their security
Norway
On the same day, Russia also deployed MiG-29 fighter jets near the Norwegian border.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said their flight complied with international rules, without crossing airspace or creating danger to others.
Norway is a member of NATO. The country also shares a border with Russia.
The deployment of the combat aircraft came after Russia identified a Norwegian patrol aircraft, a P-8A Poseidon, flying near the country’s border in the Barents Sea.
Denmark
Another NATO country, Denmark, also identified two Russian bombers near their territory on Monday.
Denmark then deployed F-16 fighter jets to prevent Russian aircraft from entering their airspace, Reuters reported.
A spokesman for the Danish Air Force said they would intercept any aircraft that did not have a unique identification code, had no flight plan and if there was no two-way communication.
Arctic waters, near Norway
Two Russian Tupolev Tu-16 bombers also flew over the Arctic and Barents Seas on Aug. 10.
The Barents Sea is located to the north of Norway and the Kola Peninsula.
Meanwhile, countries near Arctic waters also include Canada, Denmark, Iceland and the United States.
“Two Tu-160 bombers carried out scheduled flights in the airspace of neutral waters in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement, as quoted by Al Arabiya.
The Russian Ministry of Defense also stated that the plane was flying according to international regulations.
Read More : Russia Deploys Fighter-Bombers Near 3 NATO Countries
