Russia scrambles fighter to intercept two U.S. bombers over Baltic Sea

MOSCOW, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- A Russian Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept two U.S. Air Force B-1B strategic bombers over the Baltic Sea on Tuesday, the Defense Ministry said.

Russian airspace control systems detected two air targets over the Baltic Sea approaching the country's state border, the ministry said in a statement.

"A Su-27 fighter was scrambled to identify the air targets and prevent a violation of Russia's state border," it added.

The air targets were identified as two U.S. Air Force B-1B strategic bombers, and as the Russian fighter approached, the foreign planes turned away from the border, the statement said.

The flight of the Russian fighter jet was carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace over neutral waters, the statement said.