The Russian Ministry of Defense commented on NATO fighters escorting Tu-160 bombers
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers flying over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea were shadowed by foreign fighters at different stages of their route.
“On June 15, the Tu-160s conducted scheduled flights over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea. At certain stages of the flight, Russian strategic missile carriers were shadowed by F-16 Falcon jets from the Danish Air Force and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from the Finnish Air Force, as well as Swedish Air Force JAS-39 Grapen fighters,” the Ministry stated.
During their flight, the Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers were accompanied by Su-27 fighters of the Russian Western Military District, as well as long-range radar detection aircraft and A-50 military transport aircraft.
The Russian Ministry of Defense explained that Russian long-range warplanes make regular flights over the neutral waters of the Atlantic, the Arctic, the Pacific and the Black Sea, all according to approved flight schedules.