the Russian defense Ministry denied reports about the threat approaching Russian bombers to the Icelandic civil airliner.
“Message Icelandic pilots and diplomats about the alleged threat approaching Russian long-range aircraft to a civilian airliner over the waters of the Norwegian sea is no more than a figment of their personal imagination”, – said the official representative of the Ministry of defense of Russia major-General Igor Konashenkov.
According to him, on 22 September, Russian strategic bombers Tu-160 carried out tasks according to plan of air patrol over the North-Eastern part of the Atlantic ocean.
“Russian planes enabled transponders followed the route of the patrol at a considerable safe distance from civilian aircraft and without intersecting air routes”, – said the General.
“moreover, on several sections of the route of the Russian Tu-160 was accompanied by fighters of the air forces of NATO countries”, – said Konashenkov. He stressed that the route of the aircraft passed over the water area of the Barents and Norwegian seas in strict accordance with international rules of airspace use.
“the Groundlessness of accusations confirms the confusion in the statements of Icelandic diplomats and pilots about the types and quantity of what they allegedly Russian aircraft. About the purpose of such stuffing we have repeatedly said: using every opportunity to whip up Russophobia in Europe,” said the General.
Previously, the government of Iceland has accused Russian bombers in dangerous proximity to passenger aircraft on 22 September, the foreign Ministry expressed its concern in this regard.
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