The MiG-31, a high-speed interceptor from the Russian air defense forces, accompanied a Norwegian Air Force R-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft as it traced a path over the Barents Sea toward the border with Russia. Journalists were briefed on these details by officials from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
According to the National Defense Control Center, there were no border violations by either party. The Norwegian Ministry of Defense has not issued a public statement regarding these events at this time.
“An aerial target approaching the state border of the Russian Federation was detected over the Barents Sea. In response, the center deployed an on-duty MiG-31 fighter from the air defense forces of the Northern Fleet to ensure the border remained secure”, the center explained.
The radar-guided mission was conducted in neutral waters and in full compliance with international aviation norms. The National Center for Control and Coordination noted that the Russian interceptor returned to its airspace after the Norwegian aircraft diverged from the border area with the Russian Federation.
Earlier, Oslo announced the expulsion of 15 employees of the Russian Embassy, a move cited by the Norwegian government as a response to what it described as a rising intelligence threat from Russia.