NATO Accuses Russian Jet of Violating Danish Air Space

Sept. 1, 2020 (EIRNS)—NATO issued a statement yesterday charging that a Russian Su-27 fighter intercepting a U.S. B-52 bomber on Aug. 28 over the Baltic Sea violated Danish airspace over the Danish island of Bornholm. The Russian Su-27, flying from Kaliningrad, followed the B-52 well into Danish airspace over the island, committing a significant violation of airspace of a NATO nation, the NATO statement claims. “This incident demonstrates Russia’s disrespect of international norms and for the sovereign airspace of an Allied nation. We remain vigilant, ready and prepared to secure NATO airspace 24/7,” said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, Commander of NATO’s Allied Air Command. A spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry denied the NATO accusation this morning. The B-52 was flying as part of the NATO “Allied Sky” exercise during which six B-52s flew through the airspace of every one of NATO’s 30 members, including the U.S. and Canada.

At the same time, the Russians continue with their own drills as well. The press office of the Western Military District announced yesterday the conclusion of a command and staff drill involving 6,000 troops in the Kaliningrad and Leningrad regions. “Practical measures by the headquarters and troops took place at five training grounds in the Leningrad and Kaliningrad Regions and at naval ranges in the Baltic Sea and islands of the Gulf of Finland,” Western Military District Commander Colonel-General Alexander Zhuravlyov who was in charge of the drills was quoted by the press office as saying.