Britain F-35 fighters intercept Russian aircraft near NATO aircraft carrier in the Norwegian Sea

LONDON, July 06 (YPA) – The British Ministry of Defence announced that F-35 fighter jets intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft that approached a NATO aircraft carrier group in the Norwegian Sea.

In a statement, the ministry explained that the Russian Bere-F maritime patrol aircraft flew at low altitude several times near the task force led by the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, and dropped sonar devices used to detect submarines, describing the maneuvers as unsafe and unprofessional.

For its part, Moscow confirmed that its flights are conducted in international airspace and waters and in accordance with international law, noting that it is monitoring the growing NATO military presence near its borders.

The British aircraft carrier group, operating under NATO command off the coast of Iceland, includes HMS Prince of Wales, the destroyer HMS Duncan, F-35 fighters, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters.