Norwegian F-35As Escort Russian Tu-160 Bombers Near the Arctic Circle

Norwegian F-35s intercepted a group of two Tu-160 strategic bombers and two MiG-31BM interceptors, which, supported by an Il-78M tanker aircraft, were patrolling the Norwegian and Barents Seas.

The Aviationist reported on this.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that the air group was “escorted by foreign fighter jets” but did not provide details.

Meanwhile, NATO Air Command clarified that these were F-35As of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, based in Evenes, and were raised as part of the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) mission.

Analysts identified the intercepted bombers as Vasily Senko, with tail number “11” (red) / RF-94114, and Vladimir Sudets, with tail number “15” / RF-94108.

In early June, a fighter jet of the French Aerospace Forces shot down a drone that entered Latvian airspace.

According to the Latvian military, the incident occurred in the area between Rēzekne and Kārsava, in the parish of Nautrēni. The drone was intercepted by aircraft from the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, which is on duty over the Baltic countries.