On May 23, a Russian Su-27 fighter took off to escort two US bombers over the Baltic Sea, flying towards the state border of the Russian Federation. This is reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
“The crew of the Russian fighter aircraft clified the air targets as two US Air Force B-1B strategic bombers and took over the established air watch zone,” the report said.
After the withdrawal of aircraft from the Russian border, the Russian Su-27 returned to the base airfield. The Ministry of Defense clarified that no violation of the state border of the Russian Federation was allowed.
On May 15, the Russian military detected two aircraft from Germany and France over the Baltic Sea, which were also approaching the Russian border. As a result, a Russian Su-27 flew out to escort them. There was no violation of the border.
In addition, on March 14, an incident occurred with an American MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Black Sea. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation noted that he flew in violation of the borders in the area of the temporary regime for the use of airspace. In this regard, fighters were raised into the air.
As a result, the MQ-9 Reaper fell into the waters of the Black Sea. The American side claimed that one of the Russian fighter jets hit the propeller of the drone. The Russian ministry stressed that the planes did not use airborne weapons and did not come into contact with the drone. According to the Ministry of Defense, the crash of the MQ-9 was due to sudden maneuvering and loss of control.