Russian Strategic Bombers Fly Near NATO, NATO Fighter Jets Scramble

Russia's supersonic strategic bomber, the Tupolev-160, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, conducted a routine flight over international waters in the Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea, near NATO member airspace.

In response, two NATO-affiliated Norwegian Air Force F-35 fighter jets were scrambled to monitor and counter the bomber's movements. A high-ranking military official from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) stated that two NATO-affiliated Norwegian F-35 fighter jets were scrambled in response to Russian military aircraft approaching NATO airspace.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the flight lasted approximately 16 hours and that a Russian Air Force MiG-31 fighter jet escorted the bomber. Footage released by the Russian Defense Ministry shows an F-35 fighter jet flying in close proximity to the bomber.