American B‑52 bombers intercepted near russian border in tense standoff

Russian media and the local Ministry of Defence report the scrambling of MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighters from the Russian Federation's territory. The aircraft were said to have intercepted two American strategic bombers, B-52H, on Sunday, 21 July, as reported on the Bulgarian Military portal, which were approaching Russian airspace.

The Russian Ministry of Defence statement states that while monitoring the airspace over the Barents Sea, a group of aerial targets approaching the Russian state border was identified. To prevent a violation, MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighters from the on-duty air defence team were dispatched.

The Russian agency RIA Novosti adds that the fighter crews were to identify two American strategic bombers, B-52H, in the air. Upon the fighters’ approach, the bombers turned away from the Russian border. Earlier, American equipment was reported to be approaching Russia. However, the bombers did not breach Russian airspace.

Bulgarian Military explains that the interception of American bombers can be considered part of routine military operations. The USA often conducts reconnaissance missions near the borders of potential adversaries. These actions not only aim to gather valuable intelligence but also serve as a show of strength.

The Sunday, 21 July incident is not the first of its kind. Recently, the Russians escorted, among other things, a patrol aircraft belonging to the Norwegian Armed Forces. The reconnaissance Boeing P-8A Poseidon—similar to the American B-52H—was also flying over the Barents Sea.

Let us recall that the B-52 bomber, produced by the American Boeing, is a design originating from the 1950s. After modernisation, it is expected to be operational for almost 100 years. This gigantic strategic long-range bomber, which is 48 metres long and has a wingspan of nearly 56 metres, can carry as much as 34 tonnes of ammunition. Besides being highly efficient (the B-52H variant has a range of over 16,300 kilometres), the American machine is also inexpensive to maintain and reliable.

In contrast, the Russian MiG-29, which, along with the MiG-31, escorted the American aircraft, is a front-line fighter produced since the 1980s. It is capable of transporting 6 tonnes of ammunition on nine weapon hardpoints. Its range is over 1,690 kilometres in the basic equipment version, and its maximum speed reaches Mach 2.3, which is over 2,400 kilometres per hour.

The MiG-31 is a supersonic interceptor fighter whose serial production began in the late 1970s. Compared to the smaller MiG-29, it achieves a higher speed of up to Mach 2.8 (approximately 3,400 kilometres per hour). Under its fuselage, there is space for ammunition on eight weapon hardpoints.