Two U.S. B-52 Stratofortress bombers were intercepted by Russian Su-27 fighter jets near the Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad on Monday, U.S. defense officials confirmed.
According to reports, the bombers were conducting a training mission with NATO ally Finland when the Russian aircraft approached. The U.S. Air Force described the interception as “safe and professional,” allowing the bombers to continue their mission as planned.
The B-52s are part of the Bomber Task Force 25-1, deployed to Europe in early November and operating out of RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom. Monday’s mission, Exercise Apex Jet, included simulated weapons drops over Finland and close coordination with Finnish F/A-18C Hornets and Swedish JAS 39 Gripens.
The operation marked a significant milestone in military collaboration, reflecting Finland’s increasing role within NATO after joining the alliance in 2023.
The recent interception comes during a tense period in U.S.-Russia relations, primarily due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The incident occurred just days after Russia launched an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine, reportedly carrying dummy warheads. That missile launch followed announcements by the U.S. and U.K. allowing Ukraine to use advanced Western weapons to strike targets inside Russian territory.
