Belgian fighter jets intercept Russian Tu-160 bombers over Baltics
Belgian fighter jets intercepted two Russian TU-160 strategic bombers and two Russian SU-27 fighers over the Baltics on Tuesday, September 18, reported the Belgian Air force.
“Two Belgian Air force F16 of NATO's BAP mission intercepted two Russian TU-160 Blackjack and two Russian SU-27 Flanker above the Baltic Sea. It was the first scramble for the Belgian detachment which is safeguarding the Baltic airspace since the 3th of September,” reads the message of the Belgian Air Force on Twitter.
A photo, attached to the message, shows a Belgian fighter jet flying alongside a Russian Tu-160.
It is noted that this is the first such flight for the Belgian unit, which since September 3 participates in the NATO’s Baltic air policing mission to protect the Baltic airspace.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Tu-160 strategic bombers conducted a seven-hour flight over the neutral waters of the Baltic. During the flight, the Russian planes were accompanied in some areas by fighter jets from five countries.