Norway released undated footage showing a close encounter between a Norwegian F-16 fighter jet and a Russian MiG-31.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the incident occurred after two Norwegian F-16 jets were deployed by NATO to intercept Russian jets in “international airspace north off the coast of Norway”.
The video shows a Russian MiG-31 aircraft suddenly fly past the Norwegian jet.
The Norwegian pilot was stunned by the advance but managed to turn his jet away from the MiG-31. The two planes were only about 20 metres away from each other.
In 2005 Norwegian F-16 jets were deployed to intercept Russian aircraft 16 times. The number rose to 41 last year. Some 43 interceptions have been reported so far this year.
A spokesperson for the Norwegian Armed Forces said close encounters like this are rare, but was unsure whether it was a mistake made by the Russian pilot or a provocation from Moscow.
