February 11, 2008

AP: U.S. Navy Intercepted Russian Jets

AP is reporting that two U.S. fighter jets intercepted two Russian bombers flying too close to the USS Nimitz over the weekend.

According to a U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity, a Russian Tupolev 95 swooped to a low altitude close to the Nimitz, while another "circled about 50 nautical miles out."

The incident coincides with another confrontation involving Japanese naval vessels. Japan lodged a protest against Moscow, claiming a Russian bomber violated the island nation's airspace. According to AFP, Japanese officials said a Tupolev 95 flew over "Sofugan, 650 kilometres (406 miles) south of Tokyo, for about three minutes" early Saturday morning.

Japan assembled two dozen fighter planes in response. Russian officials deny that it violated Japanese airspace. Japanese officials say the Russian pilot ignored repeated warnings.

The incidents come at a tense time for Russia, the U.S. and its Western alliance. Early this month, Poland cleared the way for the U.S. to begin building a missile defense system in eastern Europe, despite threats from Moscow that it would consider the move a hostile provocation.

Posted at 5:25 PM
Posted to: Asia, Japan, Military, Russia
Share via