American B-52 bomber 'is intercepted by Kremlin fighter jets as it flies along the Russian border over the Baltic Sea'
- Moscow's defense ministry announced Tuesday morning the incident took place
- A Russian SU-27 jet was reportedly dispatched to intercept the US B-52 bomber
- The defense ministry said the Russian jet escorted the American bomber away
- US European Command said it was not confirmed and was being investigated
The Kremlin has claimed it intercepted a US bomber that was flying near the border of Russian airspace.
Moscow's defense ministry announced the incident on Tuesday morning, saying one of its SU-27 jets was dispatched to an area over the Baltic Sea.
The defense ministry said an aircraft was detected flying along the border, prompting the intercept.
Russia Today claims the SU-27 was sent out shortly after 7am GMT - or 3am on the east coast of the US.
Russia claims it intercepted a US B-52 bomber that was flying near the border of Russian airspace. A B-52 bomber is pictured during an air show in February 2015
This map shows the area of the Baltic Sea near the Russian border. Moscow said a US bomber was intercepted Tuesday morning
The ministry then went on to claim the Russian jet identified the plane as a US B-52 strategic bomber and escorted it until it flew further away from the border.
US European Command spokesman Captain Joe Alonso told Fox News the alleged incident was being investigated.
He could not confirm whether or not it took place.
Similar incidents have happened close to Russian airspace in the past. In September, a Russian fighter jet flew within 10 feet of a Navy surveillance aircraft.
At the time, American officials called it an unsafe intercept over the Black Sea.
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Moscow's defense ministry announced the incident on Tuesday morning, saying one of its SU-27 jets was dispatched to an area over the Baltic Sea. Pictured is a SU-27 in October 2016
Moscow claimed the Russian jet identified the plane as a US B-52 strategic bomber and escorted it until it flew further away from the border. Pictured is a B-52 bomber in January 2016
Pictured is a Russian helicopter completing low-level passes of the USS Donald Cook in the Baltic Sea in April 2016
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