Russian planes intercepted US Navy aircraft over Mediterranean, says Pentagon

By AFP 16 February 2022, 9:21 pm

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In this photo taken from video and released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on February 5, 2022, a Tu-22M3 bomber of the Russian air force is seen from the cockpit of another such plane during a training flight. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Three US Navy aircraft were intercepted by Russian planes in an “unprofessional” manner over the Mediterranean Sea last weekend, the Pentagon says.

“While no one was hurt, interactions such as these could result in miscalculations and mistakes that lead to more dangerous outcomes,” US Navy Captain Mike Kafka says in a statement.

The three P-8A maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft “experienced unprofessional intercepts by Russian aircraft” while “flying in international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea,” Kafka says.

He says the United States has “made our concerns known to Russian officials through diplomatic channels.”

According to a US official who asked to remain anonymous, one of the Russian planes came dangerously close to a US aircraft.