MOSCOW, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Russian fighter jet was scrambled on Monday to accompany a Norwegian surveillance aircraft over the Barents Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Russian airspace control detected a target approaching the Russian state border over the Barents Sea and a MiG-31 fighter of the Russian Northern Fleet took off in response, the ministry said in a statement.
After identifying the object as a P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft of the Norwegian Air Force, the Russian crew escorted the plane until it flew away from the Russian state border.
The MiG-31 then returned safely to its home airfield, the ministry said, adding that the mission was carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace. ■
