US, WASHINGTON (ORDO NEWS) — The joint command of the NATO Air Force reported that fighters of the three countries of the alliance took to the air to escort aircraft of the Russian Air Force, reports the Hürriyet Daily News.
The airplanes of Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey were forced to accompany two Russian Tu-22 bombers and two Su-27 fighters as they approached the airspace of each country.
On Tuesday, May 19, NATO aircraft of Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey intercepted a Russian aircraft near the airspace of the alliance over the Black Sea, reports the Hürriyet Daily News with reference to the message.
As it became known from the message, two Russian Tu-22 bombers, accompanied by two Su-27 fighters, were sent to Romanian airspace. Two jet MiG-21 aircraft of the Romanian Air Force rose to meet them, which did not approach the Russian aircraft, but only accompanied them.
For patrolling “a few miles” from Russian planes, the MiG-29 of the Bulgarian Air Force also took off.
Later, the Tu-22 turned east, heading for the airspace of Turkey. The country’s air force TUAF F-16 fighters twice climbed to track the path of Russian fighters and bombers along the south coast of the Black Sea before they turned north.
“NATO is determined to protect its airspace and has shown its ability to respond,” the joint command emphasized.
At the same time, as noted by the Hürriyet Daily News, NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu praised the cooperation of countries within the alliance.
“This week, Romanian, Bulgarian, Turkish planes took to the air when Russian planes approached NATO airspace. The allies stand ready and work together 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Lungescu.
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