A Russian Aerospace Forces Su-35 fighter escorted a US Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft out of the country’s eastern borders. “The crew of the Russian fighter identified the air target as the US Air Force RC-135 strategic reconnaissance aircraft and escorted it over the Pacific Ocean,” the press service of the Pacific Fleet said.
The release said that the American plane was approaching the Russian border. To identify the air target and prevent violation of the border of the Russian Federation, the Su-35 was scrambled into the air. The incident took place on Thursday, June 10th.
“The flight of the Russian fighter was carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace. Violations of the state border of the Russian Federation were not allowed,” says the release.
The incident gains importance as Russia has commenced a major exercise in the central Pacific. The Russian exercise kicked off against the backdrop of the Exercise Agile Dagger 2021, which involved a third of all USN submarines in the Pacific.
“As part of the exercise, submarines from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Bremerton, Washington; and San Diego, California; deploy on short notice to demonstrate their readiness, agility, and lethality,” said the USN release.
On 23 April 2021, a MiG-31 fighter from the Eastern Military District was scrambled to intercept a USAF RC-135.
