NATO Accuses Russian Jet of Violating Danish Air Space

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.