Russia on Tuesday said it had scrambled a Su-27 fighter jet by two US Air Force strategic bombers that were flying over the Baltic Sea, in order to "prevent violations of the state border", news agency AFP reported.

The Russian defence ministry said that after the foreign military aircraft was removed from the Russian state border, the Russian fighter returned to its air base.

The statement said the Russian army prevented the violation of its borders, and added that the Russian fighter flight was conducted in strict accordance with international rules regarding the usage of airspace.

#UPDATE Russia says it scrambled an Su-27 fighter jet on Tuesday to "prevent violations of the state border" by two US Air Force strategic bombers flying over the Baltic Sea.

A Pentagon spokesman confirmed that US aircraft were intercepted by Russia, saying the B-1 bombers were… pic.twitter.com/YaSaDfJ9Kq— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 24, 2023

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesperson, confirmed the US aircraft had been intercepted by Russia, saying that the B-1 bombers were taking part in a 'long-planned exercise in Europe', AFP reported.

First Published:May 24, 2023 7:22 AM IST