Intercept the spy. Why foreign planes are so often driven away from Russian borders

Recently, reports of air interceptions of US aircraft by our fighters have been coming in as regularly as information about the preparations for the Victory Parade.

April 14 Su-27 intercepted an American reconnaissance RC-135 in the sky over the Baltic Sea. The American generals did not like this maneuver. They said the Russian pilot acted incorrectly in endangering the safety of his American colleague. He got scared and changed course.

On April 21, a MiG-31 intercepted an American R-8 anti-submarine aircraft in the Kamchatka region. At the same time, American generals expressed satisfaction with the actions of the Russian pilot, saying that everything was done correctly.

Different generals commented on these two events, since in both cases the Russian pilots approached the intercepted targets at the same distance of 15 meters.

Such incidents have become more frequent due to the aggravation of relations between Russia and the United States. At the same time, the West traditionally accuses the Russian side of dangerous maneuvers. That is, everything is turned upside down. Because in reality the intercepts are a response to the unfriendly actions of NATO aviation, which has intensified reconnaissance flights near the Russian border. And if they did not meet with a rebuff, then reconnaissance aircraft would be introduced into our airspace.

At the same time, the maneuver, which the Pentagon calls "dangerous", is not only effective, but also the only way to force a potential border violator to change course abruptly. The shorter the approach distance, the greater the emotions experienced by American pilots, who have not experienced such disrespectful treatment in this century. So, in mid-2014, over the same Baltic Sea, a Su-27 pilot flew up to a RC-135, a rather clumsy aircraft, at a distance of about eight meters. The American was so shocked that he entered Swedish airspace out of fright. The Swedes showed him much more friendliness.

What is aircraft interception

To be precise in terms of terminology, then everything that was said above is not an interception. A demonstration of intentions and capabilities. Interception is an air defense activity designed to destroy a target or disable it or force it to land. It uses ground services (radar and command posts for targeting), anti-aircraft missile and artillery systems, as well as fighter aircraft. Moreover, aviation is specialized - interceptors, which include MiG-31 and Su-27 aircraft.

The sequence of actions is as follows. Ground radars detect the target. Its coordinates, distance, speed, direction of movement are calculated. The trajectory of movement is determined. And the command is given to launch an anti-aircraft missile. Or an interceptor rises into the air, which is given a flight task - the speed and direction of the flight. What is called pointing the interceptor to the target. Following commands from the ground, the interceptor at some point in its trajectory approaches the target at attack distance. And he is in a position convenient for the attack. And either fires at the target with a cannon, or hits with a rocket.

If we are talking about a forced landing, then the attacking fighter fires warning shots from a cannon to demonstrate the seriousness of its intentions. Precautionary rocket fire is not possible because the rocket has a homing system on the target.

The fighter-interceptor is subject to higher requirements than to aircraft designed to gain air supremacy - in terms of speed and altitude. Because you have to fight with scouts, who, as a rule, are also high-speed and high-altitude (RC-135, which was discussed above, does not apply to those).

Still in operation in third world countries, including Ukraine, the Soviet MiG-25 interceptor has a top speed of 3,000 km/h and a ceiling of 27,000 m. We operated it from 1970 to 2012. It was armed with four guided missiles.

Su-27 with more modest speed and altitude performance (2500 km / h and 18500 m) has more serious weapons. Firstly, this is a gun that the MiG-25 did not have. Secondly, as many as 10 suspension units, since the aircraft belongs to the class of heavy fighters.

And finally, without a doubt, the best MiG-31 interceptor in the world, which is now modified to the MiG-31BM version. Despite the fact that it has been in operation since 1981, the equipment of the new radar and weapons control system led the vehicle to the 4 ++ generation. The plane has a cannon. Equipped with 8 missiles of short, medium and long range (up to 300 km) in various combinations. The MiG-31BM is capable of hitting not only any aircraft, but also cruise missiles. Maximum speed - 3000 km, dynamic ceiling - 29000 m, practical - 20600 m.

Opponents

In the mid-50s, a Boeing RB-47 Stratojet, converted from the main US jet bomber, “shone” in the sky. He had a subsonic speed and a ceiling of 13 thousand meters, but he took it with his power. It was fired from two cannons and had great survivability. Due to the large carrying capacity (up to 11 tons), it was loaded with a large amount of spy equipment, which was serviced by three officers. In 1954, six Soviet MiG-17s could not do anything with the "American" in the Kola Peninsula. In the same year, three more incursions into Soviet territory went unpunished. However, then, starting in 1955, the US Air Force said goodbye to another downed reconnaissance aircraft almost every year.

The most impressive was the interception, which was carried out in the summer of 1960 over the Kola Peninsula Captain Vasily Amvrosievich Polyakov on the MiG-19.

After Polyakov reported to the command post that he visually determined the type of aircraft and its ownership, an order was received to land the intruder. RB-47 pilot William Palm did not obey the signal: “Attention! Follow me".

After that, a command was received from the ground to destroy the target. Since Polyakov was at a distance of 30 meters from the "American", it was impossible to use unguided rockets. And then he fired a burst of 30-mm cannon, having used up 111 shells.

The scout started a fire in two engines. The plane lost control and began to lose altitude. The crew, consisting of three people, left the plane and took advantage of inflatable rafts. The commander died in the water from hypothermia. Two were picked up by the fishing trawler "Tobolsk". Three operators of reconnaissance equipment for unknown reasons did not leave the plane, and together with it they went to the bottom.

Introduced in 1956, the Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft still has the highest aerodynamic quality (lift-to-drag ratio) in the world among production aircraft. Basically, it's a jet-powered glider. He is able to soar at an altitude exceeding 20 km, for a long time, periodically turning off the engine. For 4 whole years it was out of reach for the Soviet fighter aviation - not a single aircraft could reach such a height. For 4 years U-2 made 24 flights over the territory of the USSR. He spotted the location of the Baikonur cosmodrome and a number of other strategic facilities.

However, on May 1, 1960, he was shot down by a missile that had just appeared in service with the air defense of the Soviet Union ZRS-75. From that moment on, the impunity of U-2 has sunk into the past. It was these missiles that shot him down in China, Cuba, and Vietnam. In our skies, the pilots of this beautiful aircraft no longer tempted fate.

The repeatedly modernized U-2 is still in service. But flying on it by pilots is no longer perceived as very useful for reconnaissance purposes, but as some kind of pure art, like the poetry of the sky.

The legendary Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird ("Blackbird"), operated until 1998, was able to accelerate to 3.3 M and climb to a height of 25,600 meters. Due to sharp maneuvers, he could get away from the rocket. When it was created, stealth technologies were used. However, they proved to be ineffective. At high speeds, the body was fairly warm and strongly fluorescent in the infrared range. The jet exhaust gave even greater visibility.

For quite a long time, he quite calmly "visited" Kamchatka, collecting intelligence information. In fact, he did not cross the border. But after the appearance of the MiG-31 in the air defense forces, a quiet life for American pilots ceased. Although, of course, there was no mortal danger. Several times the MiG pilots met the Blackbird in the neutral zone. That is, they were waiting for him to overtake the interceptor at his terrible speed. After that, they caught the "American" in the sight, "feeling" the guidance system with a beam. SR-71, having felt "fried", abruptly changed course and went away from Kamchatka to the Okinawan base, without completing the combat mission.

"Pasya" scout in the area of ​​the Kola Peninsula. Here the MiGs used the same conditional interception tactic. But one day, on May 27, 1987, the SR-71 got carried away and ended up over our territory. According to the same scenario, he was pushed into the neutral zone.

At the end of the 1980s, the activity of Blackbird flights decreased significantly. And then it completely disappeared. US attempts to restart the project in 1993 were unsuccessful. The official version is that the operation of unique machines is too expensive. However, there is an opinion, which was expressed not only in Russia, but also in the United States, that to a certain extent the refusal to use the SR-71 was influenced by the MiG-31 interceptors capable of withstanding the formidable machine. As well as the adoption of the latest modifications of the S-300 air defense system, capable of easily getting the Drozd into the skies, no matter how fast it accelerates.

As for the RC-135 and R-8, which were conditionally intercepted in April, they do not pose the slightest problem for Russian interceptors. The first one was created in the mid 60s. The second one started operating in 2013. But, in fact, these are passenger airliners with exactly the same flight characteristics. The first one is full of spyware. The second patrols the water area in search of submarines. That's just too close to the Russian shores, he should not approach.

The Pentagon has once again said that US Air Force planes "intercepted" Russian Tu-95 long-range bombers.

On September 1 and 11, 2018, F-22A stealth fighters flew to "intercept" two Tu-95M turboprops that were in neutral waters in the Alaska region. At the same time, Russian aircraft did not enter the airspace of either Canada or the United States. On September 11, the bombers were escorted by Su-35S fighters.

It would be more correct to call such meetings not interception, but escort, because. The Raptors flew on the same course as the Bears at a distance, without approaching or showing any aggressive actions. Both Russian pilots and American pilots performed their tasks - ours practiced long flights with in-flight refueling and indicated their presence near the areas of responsibility of a potential enemy. The Americans worked out the response time to the appearance of Russian aircraft - takeoff, rendezvous, escort and return to the airfield, and also watched the flight of bombers and practiced weapon guidance.

Interception is a slightly different action on both sides. The interceptor pilot is given the task to find the object, get close, make it either leave Russian airspace or land at an airfield in Russia. In extreme cases, if the violator fails to comply with the requirements, he can be shot down.

A classic example of interceptions is the actions of Su-27 fighter pilots over the Black, Barents or Baltic Seas, when planes take off to drive away all sorts of "Poseidons" and "Orions" of NATO countries from our borders. At the same time, the Pentagon calls such cases "dangerous" and "unprofessional." But in our opinion, the appearance of Russian "dryers" near insolent US reconnaissance aircraft can be dangerous only for the American (Norwegian, Canadian, etc.) pilots themselves, because flying on a mission, they perfectly understand where and for what purpose they fly.

Vivid proof of this is the actions of Senior Lieutenant Vasily Tsimbal, who flew out on September 13, 1987 on his Su-27 to intercept the P-3 Orion reconnaissance aircraft.

The Norwegian plane was not just engaged in reconnaissance, it dropped sonar buoys into the fairway, along which Soviet submarines went to sea. Having found an armed Su-27 nearby, the Norwegians did not react to it in any way and continued their work.

In order to prevent the release of reconnaissance equipment, Vasily Tsymbal decided to adjust to the belly of Orion, and, releasing the brake flap, began maneuvering, but did not calculate the approach speed and touched the propellers of the Norwegian aircraft with the left keel. The fragments of the propeller scattered in different directions and pierced the fuselage of Orion. Only after that, the Norwegian plane changed course and went towards Norway.

Su-27 drove off the Norwegian reconnaissance aircraft P-3 Orion

But the senior lieutenant decided to consolidate the knowledge of the reconnaissance aircraft crew about what Russian pilots are capable of if their "sworn friends" do not show sufficient respect for their "partners". Having taken a position above the "Norwegian", Vasily Tsimbal poured part of the fuel onto the Orion's cockpit and only after that he left for his airfield.

Did Cymbal work professionally? Of course! Aggressively? Naturally! But without pressure, determination and non-standard actions, it is impossible to convey to the "partners" that it is impossible to fly with impunity near our borders.

Tu-95 is a Soviet turboprop strategic bomber-missile carrier, the fastest propeller-driven aircraft, which has become one of the symbols of the Cold War.

2. Possibly the Faroe-Icelandic frontier, around 1960-1970. Reconnaissance-target designator Tu-95RTs of the 392nd ODRAP aviation of the Red Banner Northern Fleet, A / B Kipelovo, Vologda and Lightning F.6 XP 753 of the British Royal Air Force, 23 Squadron, Leichers Air Base, Scotland. This aircraft was in service from 1965 to 1988. By the way, the 392nd regiment, in particular, is known for the first autopsy of CVN 70 "Carl Vinson". Thanks for the info and corrections to this post. ilya_kramnik

The world's only adopted and mass-produced turboprop bomber. Designed to destroy important objects behind enemy lines with cruise missiles at any time of the day and under any weather conditions. Along with the American B-52 strategic bomber, the Tu-95 is one of the few military aircraft that have been in continuous service for more than half a century.

3. Carrier-based fighter Vought F-8 Crusader and the hero of the post Tu-95.

On July 30, 2010, a world record for non-stop flight for aircraft of this class was set - in 43 hours, bombers flew about 30 thousand kilometers over three oceans, refueling four times in the air

4. I did not find the year. Tu-95 and Grumman A-6 Intruder, help with the year!

There are many modifications of this aircraft, of which I will single out only one - the Tu-142 - an anti-submarine aircraft.

5. 1980 F-4E and Tu-95

The development and operation of the aircraft was accompanied by significant difficulties. The cockpit was ill-suited for long flights. Uncomfortable seats and a toilet - a portable tank with a toilet seat, dryness and air pollution with oil dust - all this led to premature fatigue of the crews. In the Tu-95MS modification, some of the shortcomings were corrected.

5. 1982 By the way, the photo shows not a Tu-95, but a Tu-16, accompanied by a Grumman A-6 Intruder carrier-based attack aircraft.

Particular problems arose during the operation of the aircraft in the winter. A mixture of mineral oils (MS-20 and MK-8) is poured into the oil system of NK-12 engines, which thickens at temperatures below 0 degrees so that the screws cannot be turned. Therefore, before each flight, all engines were warmed up by ground-based engine heaters (heat guns). In their absence (for example, at an operational airfield), the engines were covered with heat-insulating covers and started every few hours to warm up. A significant part of aviation fuel was thus wasted. At the end of the 1980s, the industry began to produce a special motor oil - MN-7.5U, which allows the start of NK-12 engines in frosts down to -25 degrees. Today, the production of this oil is almost curtailed. On a part of the modified Tu-95MS, an auxiliary power unit was installed in the forkle, which allows air to be taken for pre-flight heating of the engines.

6. 1982 F-4S and Tu-142

Replacing the NK-12 engine is extremely time consuming compared to other types of aviation equipment, it has a lot of features, it requires certain qualifications of personnel and special skills.

The aircraft still lacks a crew ejection system, which seriously complicates the escape of a falling aircraft in the event of an accident.

7. Tu-95RTs and F-106

After the collapse of the USSR, regiments from Kazakhstan were transferred to Russia. In 1998, Ukraine began to destroy the strategic bombers it inherited with funds allocated by the United States under the Nunn-Lugar program, but after negotiations, Ukraine transferred eight Tu-160s and three Tu-95s (and a batch of cruise missiles) to Russia in exchange for writing off part of the debt on gas purchases. Three Tu-95MS aircraft, one of which now plays the role of a museum exhibit, were left in Ukraine, all the rest were disposed of.

8.F / A-18 Canadian Navy and Tu-95.

For 2011, only 32 Tu-95MS are combat-ready. Several dozen will be upgraded to the Tu95MSM version from 2013, they will be able to carry Kh-101 missiles, and will last until 2020-2025.

9. Tu-95RTs and F-14

Between April 22 and May 3, 2007, two Russian Tu-95MS aircraft became participants in an incident that occurred during the British Army's Neptune's Warrior exercise, held in the North Sea's Clyde Bay near the Hebrides. Russian aircraft appeared in the area of ​​​​the exercises (conducted in neutral waters), after which two British fighters were raised from the Luashar airbase in the Scottish region of Fife. Fighters escorted Russian aircraft until they left the exercise area. According to a spokesman for the British Air Force, this was the first such case since the end of the Cold War.

10. 06.03.1986. Tu-142M escorts US Navy P-3C patrol aircraft.

In August 2007, Tu-95MS flew near the US Navy base on the island of Guam in the Pacific Ocean as part of the exercises, in July - in the immediate vicinity of the British air border over the North Sea, and on September 6, British fighters had to meet eight Russian bombers at once

11. F-14A or F-14D strategic bomber Tu-95.

On the night of February 9-10, 2008, four Tu-95s took off from the Ukrainka air base. Two of them flew close to the air border of Japan and one of them, according to the statements of the Japanese side, which later issued a note of protest, violated the border for three minutes. The second pair of aircraft headed towards the Nimitz aircraft carrier. When the Russian aircraft were about 800 km away from the ship, four F / A-18s were raised to intercept. At a distance of 80 km from the aircraft carrier group, American aircraft intercepted the Tu-95, but despite this, one of the "bears" twice passed over the "Nimitz" at an altitude of about 600 meters.

12. F-14 Tomcat and Tu-142.

Similar cases in international waters began to occur quite often after the resumption in August 2007 of regular flights of strategic aviation for air patrols. Each such incident is usually covered in the press, and in NATO countries such incidents are considered "provocations in the spirit of the Cold War."

13.

US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said that if the Tu-95s are still flying, they are "in good working order", saying that "I don't think we consider this to be a particular threat, but we are monitoring it, watching closely and I'm sure the Pentagon is watching it too."

14.

In 2013, the modernization of the Tu-95MS to the Tu-95MSM version will begin. Electronic equipment will be replaced, while the airframe and engines will not be modified. The bombers will be equipped with a new sighting and navigation system, which will allow the use of new Kh-101 strategic cruise missiles. A navigation system based on GLONASS will also appear. In total, it is planned to modernize several dozen bombers, and write off the rest. The modernization is designed to extend the life of the aircraft until 2025.

15. Help with the definition again! I don't understand anything on foreign planes. I can only recognize such famous aircraft as Valkyrie, F-117, B-2 and of course Blackbird.

16.09.01.2008. Tu-95 escorted by F / A-18 flies over the Nimitz aircraft carrier.

In the photo below: On November 29, 2007, American F-22 Raptor fighters for the first time carried out a conditional interception of Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers. Russian stretegei were detected at a great distance by US radar in Alaska. One of the "bears", which turned out to be a short distance from the airspace of Alaska near the Aleutian Islands, was intercepted and escorted for several minutes by two Raptor fighters of the 3rd tactical air wing. Presumably, the "violator" on Thanksgiving Day was a nominal Tu-95MS "Blagoveshchensk" bomber, assigned to the 326th heavy bomber air division (Ukrainka, Amur region). The planes of the two air regiments of this division are periodically transferred to the northern airfields of the “jump” Anadyr and Tiksi for flights, as the pilots say, “around the corner”.

17. 29.11.2007. near the Aleutian Islands. F-22A of the 3rd Wing of the US Air Force, Elmendorf Air Base, Alaska, and Tu-95MS of the 326th TBAD, A/B Ukrainka, Amur Region.

A Russian Su-30 fighter was launched into the air to intercept a US reconnaissance aircraft that was seen over the neutral waters of the Black Sea on November 25 at about 13.00 Moscow time, the press service of the Southern Military District (SMD) reported.

“After approaching, the Russian fighter flew around the air object and visually identified it as an American P8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft. After being discovered by a Russian fighter, the American P8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft changed its trajectory to move away from Russian airspace," the Southern Military District said. After completing the mission, the Russian fighter returned safely to its home airfield.

Thus, the Russian side confirmed the information released earlier by the Pentagon about the interception of a US Navy aircraft during its flight over the Black Sea.

At the same time, the United States accused Russia of carrying out an "unsafe" interception.

“The American plane was in international airspace and did nothing to provoke such behavior on the part of Russia,” spokeswoman Michelle Baldanza said.

According to her, the actions of the Russian fighter are regarded as unsafe because the plane crossed the course of the American aircraft from right to left, which led to "severe turbulence." “Unsafe actions could cause serious harm to all involved air crews and lead to injuries,” she said. Baldanza also added that the interception lasted about 24 minutes.

Russia's concern about a US aircraft over the Black Sea is not surprising. In October, the Ministry of Defense reported that in a week 18 aircraft were recorded conducting reconnaissance along the Russian borders.

12 aircraft were recorded in the Western strategic direction and three more each in the Arctic and South-West. In addition, three ships conducted reconnaissance along the Russian maritime borders. In the last week of October, the planes of the Russian Air Defense Forces (Air Defense) flew eight times to intercept foreign reconnaissance aircraft.

At the same time, foreign aircraft perform such reconnaissance actions with enviable regularity - the statistics for the beginning of October were almost the same. Exploration near the borders of Russia was carried out by 10 foreign ships and 17 aircraft. From October 2 to October 8, the air defense forces on duty carried out ten sorties to intercept air targets. One of the cases of that week was the flight of the RAF RC-135W strategic reconnaissance aircraft near the borders of the Kaliningrad region.

According to Western websites that track military aviation, the plane with tail number ZZ664 took off from Waddington Air Base and, being at an altitude of 9.5 thousand meters, was conducting reconnaissance near the coast. The route of the aircraft ran over the North Sea, Denmark and the southern Baltic. On October 3, he was in Estonian airspace and carried out long-term reconnaissance near the borders of the Leningrad and Pskov regions.

Russian aviation regularly conducts exercises in order to prepare for situations where it is necessary to intercept.

At the end of September, large-scale tactical flight exercises began in the Far East, in which attack, fighter and bomber aircraft of the Eastern Military District (VVO) were involved.

“100 percent of the combat aircraft fleet of the district in Primorye and the Khabarovsk Territory is involved,” the press service of the Air Defense Forces reported about the exercises. During the Su-24M2 bombers' flight to the bombing area at the practical stage of the exercise, the Su-35 and Su-30 pilots covered them.

In addition, pilots of Su-35, Su-30SM fighters, air units of the Eastern Military District from the Khabarovsk Territory worked out elements of air combat at various altitudes, searched for, escorted and intercepted mock enemy aircraft, the role of which was performed by fighters from Primorye. As part of the final stage of the exercises, the pilots of the Su-35, Su-25 and the crews of the new Su-34 bombers bombed ground group targets, which were located at special training grounds in Primorye and the Khabarovsk Territory.

Over the past week, Russian fighter jets have already intercepted three foreign reconnaissance aircraft, in particular, over the Baltic, where NATO exercises are taking place. Military experts told 360 what interception is and why other countries send air spies to Russian borders.

On June 10, a Su-27 fighter intercepted two US and Swedish Air Force aircraft near the Russian border, over the neutral waters of the Baltic. This was reported to RIA Novosti in the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense. Following the international rules for the use of airspace, the pilot escorted the aircraft, preventing them from violating the Russian border.

"The crew of the Russian fighter aircraft approached a safe distance from air targets and identified them as reconnaissance aircraft of the US Air Force RC-135 and the Swedish Air Force Gulf Stream," the ministry said.

From 9 to 21 June, NATO exercises Baltops-2019 are being held in the Baltic Sea. 8.6 thousand military personnel, as well as 40 ships and submarines from 18 countries of the alliance and partner states, are participating in sea and air maneuvers. For the first time in a long time, the ships of the US Second Fleet, which was recreated in 2018, joined the exercises.

And on June 4, the agency cites a message from the press service of the US Sixth Fleet, a Su-35 fighter intercepted a P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft three times in international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea. The US military department called the second rapprochement "dangerous." The Russian aircraft flew directly in front of the P-8A at high speed, causing a wave of turbulence.

“We expect that they (the Russian side - ed.) will behave within the international standards established to ensure security and prevent incidents.<…>Unsafe interceptions increase the risk of miscalculation and the possibility of a mid-air collision,” the statement said.

In 2018, Aerospace Forces escorted more than 980,000 aircraft, including 3,000 combat aircraft, of which 1,000 were reconnaissance aircraft.

What is interception

Military expert Alexei Leonkov explained to 360 that a layered air defense system operates in Russia. If the radar stations fix the approach to the borders of aircraft with transponders turned off, then fighters are lifted into the air. They approach the "guests" and determine which ship it is - civilian or military.

“At this time, radio intelligence stations determine whether the equipment of their aircraft is working at this time. They see aircraft with transponders not turned on, which are trying to carry out radar reconnaissance of our territory,” Leonkov added.

Then the Russian fighter jet accompanies the “guest” with special signs and maneuvers, showing that the alien plane is violating the borders, approaching them too close. He gets into general communication, and if the pilot does not respond to calls to leave the airspace, the Su pilots demonstrate weapons - air-to-air missiles.

“If the crew is reasonable, then the plane leaves with nothing, without intelligence data. If there is a further violation, foreign pilots do not respond to commands, go the same course deep into the territory of the country, then maneuvering begins, warning fire along the course of the aircraft. If the plane still does not respond, then either it is forced to land, or, if this is not possible, a decision is made to shoot down the violator of air borders, ”the expert said.

international space

In international airspace or over neutral waters, ships are intercepted by reconnaissance aircraft capable of looking 300-400 kilometers deep into Russia with the help of side-scan stations and learning as much as possible about anti-defense weapons and the operation of radio equipment. To interfere with the collection of data, fighter jets are raised into the air, which play on the nerves of foreign pilots and force them to stop reconnaissance.

“If our planes did this, the Americans would act the same way. For example, they escort our strategic aircraft in the Far East. Or when our ships fly to Kaliningrad,” Leonkov added.

During the Cold War, the interlocutor added, the Americans often “disturbed our peace” by sending not only reconnaissance aircraft to the borders, but also strategic bombers with nuclear warheads. Nowadays, the expert noted, the event has become not only ordinary, but regular. Especially where hostilities or exercises are taking place.

Political plane

Military expert Sergey Khatylev explained that the rules for flying in international airspace explain what waters and at what altitude you can fly over, what distance you can approach, what signs you need to use, and so on. All these rules are spelled out in international, state documents, as well as documents of the Ministry of Defense and military departments. Russian pilots always strictly comply with these requirements.

“And all these complaints from the United States and European countries that our pilots fly too close, interfere with their tasks, are elementary disrespect, rudeness and discontent. Previously, they flew and no one controlled them so tightly, but now they control them - and they go to deliberate provocations, ”Khatylev said.

In particular, on June 10, the US military turned on a jammer on a plane flying over the Baltic for two hours in an attempt to interfere with communications in Kaliningrad. Including those that provide aviation flights. All cases of interceptions are always investigated both by the military departments of the countries whose ships participated in the event, and by international organizations. And loud statements about "dangerous" interceptions are made to escalate the situation.

“This is mainly done in the political plane. As a rule, statements are not related to either the military or the use of airspace. But just ambitions: “You fly fast, you fly close,” Khatylev concluded.