Kremlin planes have been intercepted and returned to Russia today (Image: Getty Images)
NATO fighter jets have intercepted Russian planes near Finland’s border with Norway.
Intelligence identified the plane as a Mikoyan MiG-31 ‘Foxhound’ and a Sukhoi Su-24 ‘Fencer’ jet.
NATO shot down F-35 fighter jets yesterday amid growing tensions between Finland and Russia.
Russian planes had been spotted near Finnmark, in the far north of Norway, but did not enter Norwegian official airspace.
The Royal Norwegian Air Force reported: “Today two Russian planes north of Finnmark. CRC Sørreisa reported the plane and NATO ordered our F-35s on its wings.
“The Russian plane flew over the Norwegian Sea before returning east.”
The plane flew over the Norwegian Sea and then back to Russia.
A Norwegian F-35 fighter jet during the NATO “Cold Response” exercise in March (Image: AFP) The identification of two Russian aircraft provoked the response (Image: Royal Norwegian Air Force)
Russia has issued a growing number of threats to both Finland and Sweden in recent weeks, leading to rising tensions between nations.
Both Finland and Sweden defied the Kremlin’s warnings to announce their bids to join NATO on May 18.
The Kremlin issued a scathing warning that the moves were a “grave mistake with far-reaching consequences.”
Representatives from both countries will travel to Madrid next month to finalize their plans to join the military alliance.
In connection with today’s incident, Stine Barclay Gåsland, of the Norwegian Air Force, has called for calm.
More: Sweden
She told local TV channel TV 2: “We are used to it happening, and there is nothing illegal.
“We pay close attention to all the activities in our local areas.”
But entering Norwegian airspace would have provoked “more aggressive action,” he added.
There are always two F35s that are always on hold, in what is called a NATO Rapid Reaction Alert.
Pilots must be prepared and ready to fly in the air in 15 minutes or less.
The Norwegian Armed Forces have shuffled planes 34 times in the last year.
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