American fighters intercepted Russian bombers

Four F / A-18 Super Hornet fighters climbed to intercept two Russian long-range anti-submarine aircraft Tu-142, approaching the US Ronald Reagan nuclear aircraft carrier.

According to the Pentagon’s press secretary, Captain Jeff Davis, two Russian long-range anti-submarine aircraft flew at an altitude of 150 m at a distance of no more than one nautical mile (1,8 km) from the aircraft carrier, AFP notes.

He called the interaction of the planes of the two countries "safe", explaining that American aircraft took off for safety reasons. There is no evidence of a threat from Russian aircraft, Davis said, adding that this was a “standard operation” escort by American aircraft.

A White House spokesman noted that the incident had occurred at the beginning of the week in international waters off the Korean Peninsula. The aircraft carrier participated there in joint maneuvers with the ships of the Republic of Korea. The publication of the US Armed Forces Stars and Stripes, citing a representative of the Seventh Fleet of the United States Navy, said that American fighter jets took off to intercept Russian October 27 aircraft.

The American side claims that it has attempted to make radio contact with Russian pilots, but has not received any answers. Ernest said that after the aircraft of Russia left the area, they were followed for some time by an American ship that accompanied the aircraft carrier.

The interlocutor of the agency stressed that this would not lead to a “confrontation”, but he called for such operations to be carried out within the framework of generally accepted international protocols, the agency notes.

The US Navy aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan transports about five thousand crew members and is based at the Yokosuka naval port in Japan.

Previously, Forum wrote that China warned US about the possible beginning of a naval war. The officers negotiated to prevent conflicts after the American Lassen missile destroyer entered the 12-mile zone of the artificial islands of Nansha (Spratly) in the disputed area of ​​the South China Sea, despite Beijing protests.