MOSCOW. Sept 3 (Interfax) - A Russian MiG-31 fighter jet has been scrambled to intercept a Norwegian Air Force Lockheed P-3C Orion over the Barents Sea, the Russian National Defense Control Center said.
"The crew of the Russian fighter jet identified the airborne target as a base patrol aircraft of the Norwegian Air Force, P-3C Orion," the center said.
A MiG-31BM from the standby air defense forces of the Northern Fleet was scrambled to identify the airborne target and prevent a violation of the Russian border, it said.
Once the Norwegian plane turned back, the Russian fighter successfully returned to base, the center said.
"The entire flight of Russia's MiG-31BM fighter was performed in strict compliance with international airspace regulations. No violations of the Russian state border were allowed to occur," it said.