Two F-35s were dispatched from a Norwegian base near Narvik to intercept a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance plane. The plane was flying in international airspace, but near the border with Norway. The local air force reported an increasing number of such incidents.
Two F-35s took off from the Norwegian Air Force air base in Evene, near Narvik, on Thursday. Their goal was to identify machines flying off the coast of the country.
A torn up F-35. Russians scout near Norway
It turned out to be a spy Il-20. The aircraft was conducting reconnaissance near the Finnmark area. Two fighter jets on official duty intercepted the attack in international airspace.
The Norwegian Air Force Command acknowledged that Thursday's operation was routine, but that the Russian military is conducting similar actions with increasing frequency.
See also: Ukrainian Air Force: Russia used intercontinental missiles
Since spring 2024, when Sweden and Finland joined the North Atlantic Alliance, there has been a significant increase in reconnaissance and reconnaissance aircraft activity in northern Scandinavia.
The Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft is known in the NATO code as Coot-A. It was based on the airliner Il-18D.
Your browser does not support video players… Read more
Want to get the latest news?
We are preparing an application for your phone. Please check it out!
