Over the past week, the strategic bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) have been conducting various patrol flights focused on the Arctic region. One of the most recent incidents occurred today, February 5, when Tu-95MS bombers, escorted by fighter jets, were intercepted by Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35A stealth fighters while flying over the Barents Sea airspace.
Both NATO’s Air Command and the Russian Ministry of Defense provided details regarding the presence of combat aircraft over the Barents Sea. NATO stated that the deployment of Norwegian F-35 stealth fighters was carried out to prevent potential airspace violations in northern Norway as part of the Air Policing missions conducted by these fifth-generation aircraft.
“Our Quick Reaction Alert mission in the High North is crucial for our national defense and NATO’s collective security. The ability to respond swiftly ensures the safety of our airspace and underscores the strength of our allied forces in maintaining peace and stability,” said General Øivind Gunnerud, Chief of the Norwegian Air Force.
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated: “Two Tu-95MS strategic bombers from the Russian Aerospace Forces’ long-range aviation conducted a scheduled flight in airspace over the neutral waters of the Barents and Norwegian Seas. The flight lasted over four hours. Fighter escort was provided by MiG-31 crews from the Aerospace Forces and Su-33 aircraft from the Navy.” They further added: “All flights conducted by Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft strictly comply with international airspace regulations.”
Regarding the details of this latest interception involving Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft, the patrol consisted of Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bombers, escorted by Mikoyan MiG-31BM interceptor aircraft and Sukhoi Su-33 fighters from the Russian Naval Aviation.
A video circulating on social media shows the Tu-95MS, a strategic bomber variant adapted to carry cruise missiles, equipped with what appears to be a Kh-101 missile under the fuselage. There is also speculation that it could be a training missile or related equipment.
In recent days, several patrol flights by Russian aircraft have been reported in the Northern Hemisphere, near the Arctic Circle and surrounding regions. One of the most notable involved the deployment of Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers in the Arctic, prompting NORAD to dispatch patrols from the Canadian and U.S. Air Forces. It was also confirmed that F-16 fighters were sent to Greenland to bolster the U.S. presence in response to the increasing activity of Russian aircraft.
Lastly, recent patrols over the Sea of Japan by Tu-95MS bombers also resulted in the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force scrambling F-15J fighters.
