NATO F-35s Intercept Armed Russian Aerobatic Jets and Tu-95s Over Barents Sea

Norwegian F-35 fighter jets intercepted a Russian flight formation consisting of two Tu-95 Bear-H strategic bombers and two Su-35 Flanker-M fighter jets in international airspace.

According to a report by the Norwegian Armed Forces published on February 28, 2026, the encounter took place over the Barents Sea during a scheduled NATO air policing mission.

The Norwegian Armed Forces confirmed the shadow operation on Friday, noting that the Russian aircraft were operating within international corridors and did not breach Norwegian sovereign territory.

According to the Norwegian Armed Forces, the interception is a standard procedure designed to maintain situational awareness near Alliance borders.

“Today, two Norwegian F-35s at NATO mission identified and shadowed two Russian Tu-95 Bear H bombers and two Su-35 Flanker M fighters in international airspace over the Barents Sea — a routine activity, but an important part of monitoring and safeguarding our region,” the Norwegian Armed Forces stated in an official release.

Visual evidence accompanying the military report indicated that at least one of the Su-35 jets belonged to the “Russian Knights,” an aerobatic demonstration team. Despite the aircraft’s association with display flying, Colton Jones noted that the jet was observed in a combat-ready configuration, equipped with air-to-air missiles rather than a standard demonstration setup.

The Su-35 Flanker-M is a multirole fighter utilized by the Russian Federation for long-range interception. In this instance, the fighters provided protective escort for the Tu-95 bombers, which are capable of carrying nuclear and conventional long-range cruise missiles.

This interaction follows a consistent pattern of NATO air policing efforts in Northern Europe. Allied aircraft frequently monitor Russian long-range aviation units as they transit through the “GIUK gap” (Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom) and the Barents Sea.

Earlier, US fighter jets were scrambled after NORAD detected two Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers, two Su-35 fighter jets, and one A-50 airborne early warning aircraft operating inside the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone. According to NORAD on February 19, the Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter US or Canadian sovereign territory.

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