Russia scrambles fighter jets after airspace violation alertJuly 24, 2013 - 21:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Two Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets were scrambled earlier this week in response to an alert that Russian airspace over the Baltic Sea had been violated by a small passenger plane, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday, July 24, according to RIA Novosti. The Russian Aerospace Defense Forces detected an aircraft flying over Polish territory toward Gdansk Bay about 50 kilometers away from the Russian border on Monday night. “At 8:26 pm on July 22, a Cessna plane crossed the Russian border over the Gdansk Bay without responding to calls [from Russian authorities],” the ministry said in a statement. A Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet stationed in the Kaliningrad Region was sent to establish the aircraft's identity and prevent its further movement into Russian airspace. “After visual contact with the Su-27, the trespasser turned around and flew toward Lithuania, crossing the border with that Baltic state at 9:09 pm,” the statement said. A second Su-27 fighter was scrambled shortly afterward to boost defenses of Russian airspace in the region, it added. The Defense Ministry did not provide further details of the incident, including the trespassing aircraft’s identity. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |