ALBAWABA - On Thursday, Russian long-range bombers, designed to carry nuclear payloads, flew over international waters close to the United Kingdom. This prompted NATO fighter jets to shadow and escort the aircraft, as confirmed by official sources.
Russia's Ministry of Defense stated that the Tu-95MS strategic bombers traversed the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea. They characterized the flight as a scheduled, routine operation. The mission, which lasted over seven hours, adhered to international aviation regulations concerning airspace over open waters.
Moscow acknowledged that foreign fighter jets accompanied the bombers for portions of the flight, though it didn't disclose the specific countries involved. Reports in the media indicated that Russian Su-33 fighters also provided escort along the route.
Western media painted a different picture of the event. British tabloids, for instance, characterized the flight as a calculated message to NATO, given the timing around Christmas and the flight's proximity to British airspace over the Norwegian Sea.
The Tu-95MS, or "Bear" as NATO calls it, is a Cold War bomber, a key element of Russia's nuclear deterrent. Though it's been around for a while, the aircraft is still in service, and Moscow has used it to launch missile strikes in Ukraine since 2022.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of rising tensions between Russia and NATO, with increased military activity near alliance borders and both sides showing off their readiness and deterrence capabilities.
