NATO warplanes attempt to intercept two Russian planes near Finnish border amid tensions over block bids

NATO has sent jets to intercept two Russian planes near Finland’s border with Norway amid heightened tensions in the region.

The Norwegian Air Force intercepted a Mikoyan MiG-31 “Foxhound” and a Sukhoi Su-24 “Fencer” jet in its airspace on Thursday.

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Tensions between Russia and the Nordic countries have increased since Finland and Sweden submitted their applications to join NATO on May 18.

Norway said it had identified a Russian Mikoyan MiG-31 “Foxhound” and a Sukhoi Su-24 “Fencer” jet.

The Russian fighter jets flew to the Norwegian Sea before returning east, the Air Force said.

The Sørreisa control and reporting center in northern Norway reported on the jets.

Stine Barclay Gaasland, communications manager at the Norwegian Air Force, said two F35s are always on standby, in NATO’s so-called Quick Reaction Alert.

“They have to be airborne in 15 minutes and be ready at any moment. That’s 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” Gaasland told Norwegian broadcaster TV 2 Nyhetene.