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A Russian fighter plane on Tuesday bombarded an American reconnaissance aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea on three occasions, acting "irresponsibly", the US Navy said.
The US P-8A Poseidon aircraft was flying in international airspace at the time of the interceptions, Naval officials added.
The Russian SU-35 "making a high-speed pass directly in front of the mission plane" caused turbulence "put our pilots and our crew at risk," according to a statement from the Navy's 6th Fleet.
A RUSSIAN HUNTING JET BUZZES A PLANE US SPY IN BLACK SEA, THE MARINE SAID
The first and third hum were considered safe, but the third, which lasted about 28 minutes, was dangerous, said the Navy. The meeting lasted nearly three hours and the American plane was not trying to "provoke this Russian activity".
"We expect them to behave in accordance with current international standards to ensure safety and prevent incidents, including the 1972 Incident Prevention Agreement at sea and above." of the high seas (INCSEA), "said the Navy. "Unsafe actions increase the risk of miscalculation and the risk of in-flight collision."
Russian interaction comes just days before the US Navy is ready to launch major multinational war games in Europe called Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) – used to send a message to Russia.
This 47th annual exercise, led by the United States but based on the principles of NATO, "aims to improve the value of training for participants, to improve flexibility and interoperability and to demonstrate the determination of Allied forces and partners to defend the Baltic Sea region "the Navy in April.
Last month, Moscow flew long range bombers with escorts of fighters near Alaska for two consecutive days. Russia sends its bombers near Alaska about seven times a year, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
During the Cold War, the US Air Force conducted daily nuclear weapons bombers from bases in the United States, over Canada and the Mediterranean Sea. These flights do not take place anymore.
The United States flew bombers near Russia only on occasion, but they did not carry atomic weapons. US spy planes continue to fly in the eastern Mediterranean to monitor Russia's activity in Syria and the Black Sea.
These flights increased after Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in Ukraine in 2014.
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The Pentagon had planned to add thousands of European Marines to the Middle East last month to strengthen its forces against Iran, but eventually refused, as they were needed to deter Russia, according to several defense officials.
Fewer than 1,000 American soldiers have been sent to the Middle East. Some 600 people who were already serving in the area were extended and were not sent home as planned.
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