Russian jets scrambled four times in a week to intercept foreign aircraftFebruary 1, 2019 - 10:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian Air Force fighter jets have been scrambled four times over the past week to intercept foreign aircraft near the state borders of Russia, Krasnaya Zvezda daily reported on Friday, February 1 citing a source in the Defense Ministry, TASS reports. According to the data provided by the daily, 23 foreign aircraft have been registered on reconnaissance flights over the past week and were all buzzed off by Russian fighter jets. The daily reported that "there were no violations of state borders" in the course of the past week. The Russian Defense Ministry reported on Monday that a Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet (NATO reporting name: Flanker) intercepted on January 28 a US P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance plane over the Baltic Sea. According to the ministry, a quick reaction alert Su-27 fighter jet from the Air Defense Force was scrambled to intercept the target in the air after the airspace control equipment registered it over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea approaching the Russian state border. "The Russian fighter’s crew approached the air object at a safe distance and identified it as a P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance plane of the US Air Force," a statement from the ministry said. The P-8 Poseidon is an anti-submarine warfare patrol plane designed to spot and destroy enemy subs in the areas of patrolling and reconnaissance and take part in anti-ship and rescue operations. Russia’s Defense Ministry regularly provides the statistics of flights by fighter jets of the Aerospace Force to intercept and shadow foreign military planes near the Russian borders but without giving details of specific incidents. 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |