Russian Tu-22 bombers fly close to passenger plane near Iceland
Two Russian Tu-22 M bombers were spotted flying near a passenger plane, which was travelling from Reykjavík to Stockholm. This was reported by the Morgunblaðsins newspaper.
The incident occurred on Thursday over Iceland's air control zone, which is near the border of Norway’s air control zone.
The bombers, which are capable of carrying nuclear missiles and flying at supersonic speed, were flying with their transponders switched off. In addition, they did not provide a flight plan. Based on their sources in NATO, the newspaper reported that the planes flew in the direction of Spain, then turned around and flew back to Russia.
The Russian bombers approached the passenger aircraft at a distance of 55 miles. The flight control center in Iceland then contacted the pilot of the passenger plane and warned them about the bombers.
The captain then unsuccessfully tried to contact the crews of the bombers. According to him, the bombers flew at a distance of 15 miles from the passenger plane, and they were positioned lower than the plane.
Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, and the deterioration of relations between Russia and the West, Russian warships and aircraft have been increasingly spotted near the borders of the Baltic States.
Though their aircraft do not violate the air and sea space of these states, they still pose a threat to civil aviation.
The Baltic States and the UK have repeatedly stated that such incidents are attempts by Russia to demonstrate its power and to test the NATO’s reaction.