A U.S. reconnaissance aircraft was escorted by a Russian MiG-31 fighter jet off Russia’s southeastern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Pacific Ocean Friday.
According to Tass Russian News Agency, the Russian Defense Ministry released this statement: “A MiG-31 fighter jet was scrambled from an airfield in the Kamchatka region to identify and escort the plane.
The crew identified it as a US RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft.”
A video shows the encounter from inside the cockpit of the Russian fighter jet flying up to the recon aircraft. The Russian outlet reported the “fighter jet’s flight was carried out in strict compliance with international rules for the use of airspace.
The plane safely returned to its home airfield after turning the U.S. aircraft from the Russian border.”
The maneuver comes one day after the Biden administration filed new sanctions against Russia. In response, Russia expelled 10 U.S. diplomats.
The U.S. measures were meant to serve as punishment to Russia for the SolarWinds hack of federal agencies and the country’s efforts to meddle in US elections. Russia has denied the meddling efforts.