NATO scrambled F-35 stealth fighters after Russia deployed nuclear-capable Tu-160 bombers on a tense 16-hour mission near the British coast, escalating tensions amid the Ukraine war. The Russian defence ministry claimed the flight was routine, but Western forces responded swiftly.
Details of the Mission
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Tu-160 strategic missile-carriers into the skies over the Barents and Norwegian Seas, directly north of the UK's Shetland Islands. The supersonic bombers conducted mid-air refuelling manoeuvres and were flanked by MiG-31 fighter jets during the provocative display.
The Norwegian Air Force deployed F-35 fifth-generation stealth fighters to intercept and shadow the Russian aircraft. Reports from Ukrainian newspaper Mezha suggest other nations also joined the formation, though specific countries remain unidentified.
Capabilities of the Tu-160
The Tupolev Tu-160 is the largest and heaviest combat aircraft ever operational, capable of carrying 45 tonnes of internal weaponry. Its payload includes both conventional and nuclear long-range cruise missiles, making it a significant threat.
Coinciding Ukraine Strikes
Putin's latest intimidation attempt coincided with another night of bombardments across Ukraine. Six civilians were injured: two elderly people in Zaporizhzhia, three in Sumy, and a woman in Kharkiv from a drone strike. A brief air raid alert sent Kyiv residents rushing for cover.
President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that intelligence indicates Russia is preparing a massive, coordinated assault on Kyiv.
Recent Escalations
The Kremlin's aggressive posturing follows a humiliating security breach last week, when Ukrainian drones bypassed Moscow's upgraded air defences to strike the Kapotnya Oil Refinery, which supplies up to 70% of the capital's fuel. Explosions and thick black smoke engulfed the facility, located just ten miles from Putin's residence.
On June 14, elite British commandos stormed the Smyrtos, a suspected Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel. In response, Putin reportedly threatened to rig remaining tankers with explosives to trigger catastrophic blasts near Britain.
