Russia took a jab at NATO on Twitter for close calls in the skies over Eastern Europe
Russian Military
The contentious exchanges between Russian and NATO aircraft above Europe carried over into cyberspace early on Friday.
"6 interceptions of @NATO recon planes on our borders last week," The Russian embassy in the UK tweeted Friday morning.
"Transparency, provided for by Open Skies Treaty, not enough?" the tweet concluded.
Russian aircraft and their NATO counterparts have had numerous encounters in recent months, especially in the skies over the Baltics, where both forces are highly active.
The Open Skies Treaty, which Russia and the US are party to, "is designed to enhance mutual understanding and confidence by giving all participants, regardless of size, a direct role in gathering information through aerial imaging on military forces and activities of concern to them," according to the US State Department.
Moscow claims that 20 foreign aircraft, six of which were intercepted, flew close to the Russian border this last week, but would not provide additional details about the alleged incidents, according to Newsweek. But Russia also admitted that NATO planes didn't stray from international airspace.
The Lithuanian Defense Ministry, however, also says that NATO jets intercepted Russian IL-20 aircraft in two separate incidents on July 4 and 7.
US Air Force via Associated Press
A Russian spokesperson told Newsweek that those two incidents were a "necessity, not luxury unlike what is done by NATO," adding "We mind our legitimate business." A NATO spokesperson also told Newsweek that "allies and NATO routinely fly reconnaissance aircraft over Central Europe ... This is done in a safe and professional manner and in accordance with international law."
Russian and NATO jets and ships have been playing a game of cat and mouse in Eastern Europe over the last few years.
Between March 2014 and April 2017 there have been 97 midair confrontations between Russian and western aircraft, according to western officials and advocacy group Global Zero. That was more than two-thirds of all air interceptions in the world during that period. Russian aircraft are usually the ones executing unsafe interceptions.
Between June 2 and June 20, there were at least 35 such interactions between Russian and NATO planes and ships in the Baltic Sea, according to Fox News.
Western officials and analysts believe Russia is doing this in response to conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, and other areas. Russia has labeled such accusations "total Russophobia."
- A couple accidentally shipped their cat in an Amazon return package. It arrived safely 6 days later, hundreds of miles away.
- A centenarian who starts her day with gentle exercise and loves walks shares 5 longevity tips, including staying single
- 2 states where home prices are falling because there are too many houses and not enough buyers
- "To sit and talk in the box...!" Kohli's message to critics as RCB wrecks GT in IPL Match 45
- 7 Nutritious and flavourful tiffin ideas to pack for school
- India's e-commerce market set to skyrocket as the country's digital economy surges to USD 1 Trillion by 2030
- Top 5 places to visit near Rishikesh
- Indian economy remains in bright spot: Ministry of Finance
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market