Russian fighter escorts Norwegian aircraft over Barents Sea

A Russian MiG-31 fighter escorted a Norwegian patrol aircraft over the Barents Sea on Wednesday, reported Xinhua, quoting the Russian Defense Ministry.

"Russian airspace control systems detected an air target approaching the Russian border over the Barents Sea," the ministry's Zvezda broadcasting service said in a statement.

The MiG-31 fighter was scrambled to escort the foreign plane that was identified as a Norwegian Air Force P-3C Orion patrol aircraft, it added.

Once the foreign aircraft flew outside the state border, the Russian fighter returned to its base.

The flight was carried out in strict accordance with international airspace laws.