MoD: MiG-31 raised due to approach of Norwegian aircraft to Russian border

The Russian Defence Ministry reported that a Norwegian Air Force R-8A Poseidon anti-submarine patrol aircraft approached the Russian border over the waters of the Barents Sea.

In response, a MiG-31 fighter jet was raised, and the Norwegian plane turned around as it approached, Kommersant reports.

As the Russian Defence Ministry claims, there was no violation of the border.

"When approaching the Russian fighter jet, the foreign military aircraft performed a U-turn away from the state border of the Russian Federation. Violation of the state border of the Russian Federation was not allowed", - the National centre of defence control said.

The report notes that the MiG-31 flight was conducted in strict compliance with international rules for the use of airspace over neutral waters.