MOSCOW. Feb 28 (Interfax) - Air defense units stationed in western Russia have practiced interaction with civilian agencies, and fighter jets have taken part in the drill, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"On-duty forces of the western air defense zone drilled interaction with civilian air traffic control entities on February 28," the ministry said.
"Fighter jets from on-duty air defense forces of the Western Military District took part in the practical stage of the exercise. They were scrambled to practice intercepting and identifying a mock trespasser," it said.
"On-duty air defense forces practiced detection, interception and identification of the suspected trespasser, alongside interaction with emergency services and law enforcement agencies in an emergency," the ministry said.
As reported earlier, the St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport was closed for arrivals and departures for about two hours on Tuesday morning. The city authorities did not say why.
Later in the day, the St. Petersburg government said on Telegram that flight restrictions had been lifted in the Pulkovo Airport area.