According to the ministry, Russian airspace control detected an air target approaching the country’s airspace on Friday, and a MiG-31 took off to identify the air target and prevent violation of the state border.
“The crew of the Russian fighter jet identified the air target as a US Navy P-8A Poseidon base patrol aircraft. When the Russian fighter approached, the foreign military aircraft made a U-turn from the State Border of the Russian Federation. The Russian state border was not violated,” the ministry said in a statement.