The MiG-31 fighter jet flew over the Pacific Ocean to escort the U.S. Navy R-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft on Thursday, the Russian National Defense Control Centre said.
According to the Defense Ministry, Russian airspace controlled devices detected an air target approaching the Russian airspace over the Pacific Ocean.
“To identify an aerial target and prevent illegal entrance to Russian airspace, a MiG-31 fighter from the air defence forces of the Eastern Military District took off,’’ the centre said.
The crew of the Russian fighter identified the target as a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft and escorted it over the Pacific Ocean along the Southeastern coast of the Kamchatka peninsula. (Sputnik/NAN)