NATO warplanes intercept Russian long-range nuclear bombers over the Baltic during Starmer visit to Estonia in latest tense aerial clash
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NATO warplanes intercepted two Russian nuclear-capable bombers over the Baltic today as Sir Keir Starmer met with world leaders and troops stationed in Estonia. Two Tu-22M3 bombers were buzzed by NATO planes during a five-hour flight over 'neutral waters' in the region.
![[Russian Su-30SM fighters (as pictured) and Su-27s escorted the aircraft (File)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/16/93239799-14202285-image-a-36_1734452214545.jpg)
Russia claimed its supersonic Tupolev bombers, which have been used to drop conventional weapons throughout the war in Ukraine, were on a 'planned flight'. The Russian Ministry of Defence said: 'All flights of aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces are carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace.'.
![[Keir Starmer addresses military personnel onboard HMS Iron Duke on December 17, in Tallinn]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/16/93239815-14202285-image-a-37_1734452528155.jpg)
'At certain stages of the route, long-range bombers were escorted by fighters of foreign countries,' it acknowledged. The bombers were reported to have been escorted by Russian Su-30SM and Su-27 fighters. 'All flights of aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces are carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace.'.
![[Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal (L) and Keir Starmer shake hands on December 17]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/16/93240447-14202285-image-a-38_1734452867354.jpg)
The Russians did not specify the identity of NATO planes buzzing its nuclear bombers, nor refer to Sir Keir's visit to Estonia. Russia acknowledged that two of its bombers had carried out a flight over the region (File). Russian Su-30SM fighters (as pictured) and Su-27s escorted the aircraft (File).
![[Keir Starmer (C) talks with attendees at a business breakfast reception in Tallinn today]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/16/93240461-14202285-image-a-40_1734452900030.jpg)
Keir Starmer addresses military personnel onboard HMS Iron Duke on December 17, in Tallinn. Two Tu-160 strategic missile carriers earlier made a separate planned flight over the Arctic Ocean, East Siberian and Laptev Seas, Russian media reported. Flightradar meanwhile picked up American reconnaissance aircraft taking off from the Black Sea coast.
![[(L-R) Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Keir Starmer attend public discussion 'Troublesome Waters in European Security' as part of a two-day security summit in Tallinn, Estonia, 16 December]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/16/93240471-14202285-image-a-41_1734452928493.jpg)
