The Russian Defense Ministry claims to have intercepted a Norwegian Air Force R-8A Poseidon over the waters of the Barents Sea.
According to the Ministry, on August 23, 2023, a Boeing P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft was detected by airspace control systems approaching the border of Russia.
A MiG-29 fighter jet from the Northern Fleet was scrambled to identify the aircraft.
According to the Defense Ministry, the Norwegian P-8A Poseidon subsequently made a U-turn away from Russian airspace without infringing on the border.
“The Russian fighter jet made the flight in strict compliance with international rules on the use of airspace over international waters without crossing air routes or coming dangerously close to an aircraft of a foreign State,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
On August 14, 2023, two Danish F-16s intercepted two Russian Tupolev Tu-95 ‘Bear’ bombers flying towards the Netherlands airspace.
Several NATO countries are actively monitoring the airspace of member states in case of any immediate aerial threats from Russia.
Spanish Eurofighters are currently based in Ämari, Estonia safeguarding the area, while Italian Eurofighters are in Šiauliai, Lithuania.