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NATO intercepts Russian bombers flying near Norway on Christmas Day
Russian strategic bombers prompted a NATO response on Christmas Day after flying close to Norwegian airspace, marking another episode of heightened military activity over northern Europe amid ongoing tensions tied to the war in Ukraine.
Russian ministry confirms scheduled flight
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, two Tu-95MS nuclear-capable bombers conducted a “scheduled flight” over international waters of the Barents and Norwegian Seas. The ministry said the aircraft were accompanied by Su-33 fighters and emphasized that all maneuvers were performed in full accordance with international aviation regulations. The long-range bombers, known by NATO’s codename “Bears,” were shadowed by foreign fighter jets at certain points, though Moscow did not specify which countries were involved.
The ministry added that such missions are routine, noting that Russian long-range aviation often operates over the Arctic, North Atlantic, Pacific, Baltic, and Black seas as part of standard combat readiness drills.
Strategic significance amid regional tension
The Tu-95, a Cold War-era propeller-driven aircraft, remains a key element of Russia’s strategic nuclear deterrence. Despite its age, the bomber continues to play a central role in Moscow’s capacity to project long-range power. Observers note that the timing of the flight, coinciding with Christmas, carries symbolic weight as it comes amid renewed Russian air and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities during the winter months.
In response, NATO pilots scrambled under the alliance’s Quick Reaction Alert system a standard defense mechanism used whenever unidentified or potentially hostile aircraft approach allied airspace. Military analysts view such encounters as a reflection of ongoing geopolitical friction between Russia and Western defense structures.
