Russian Jets Intercept US Military Aircraft Over Baltic Sea

Image courtesy: US Air Force

A Russian fighter jet has intercepted several US Air Force aircraft over the Baltic Sea.

The Russian SU-27, known as the 'Flanker' by NATO, was scrambled to ward off four US Air Force aircraft taking part in the BALTOPS exercise.

A US B-52H bomber (pictured above) was part of an aircraft formation that was intercepted, that also included two B-1B Lancers and a KC-135 Stratotanker.

A Russian foreign ministry official said the appearance of the B-52H, a strategic bomber designed to carry a nuclear bomb, would not help tensions between Russia and western countries.

A US Air Forces spokesman said the US aircraft were flying in international airspace.

"We can confirm that the U.S. Air Force B-52 was operating in international airspace, but we don’t have any information to provide at this time regarding the behavior of Russian aircraft," Colonel Patrick Ryder said.

The alliance's BALTOPS excercise takes place each year in the region, although Russia has not taken part since 2012.