Chinese experts have concluded that in an attempt to intercept Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea, the NATO air force has suffered a fiasco
In recent times, relations between Russia and the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance have left much to be desired. It is not surprising, therefore, that military tensions often arise.
For example, two Russian Tu-160 White Swan bombers made an eight-hour flight over the Baltic Sea. The event drew the attention of the Western military.
“The Tu-160 bombers flew accompanied by Su-35S and Su-27 fighters and their manoeuvres took place in international airspace in compliance with all rules and regulations. In response, NATO forces took their planes into the air and tried to approach the Russian machines. According to Chinese experts, the alliance aviation decided to take a knowingly dangerous step as any careless action by Western pilots could have provoked a conflict situation”, – the Sohu weekly wrote.
Experts of the Chinese edition noted that Italy, Denmark and Sweden tried to intercept the Russian bombers and put their fighters in the air.
F-16 fighters, Saab 39 and even stealth aircraft of the fifth generation, F-35, tried to approach the Tu-160 at various points of the flight. Ultimately, they failed.
“Accompanying Russian fighter bombers of the Russian Air Force cleverly drove the NATO pilots away from the White Swans and prevented them from making an interception. These maneuvers continued for several hours and as a result NATO forces were not able to get close to the Tu-160”.
Observers from China have stated that Russian fighters Su-35S and Su-27 have done their job excellently. Even the F-35s could not get close to the Tu-160.
“The Tu-160s, even without escort aircraft, are a big problem for NATO. The fact is that the White Swans are fitted with extremely powerful engines, and with their help Russian pilots can easily outrun the latest F-35s”, – Sohu analysts added.
Thus, NATO’s mission to intercept the Tu-160 has failed. The Russian planes, in turn, completed their tasks and returned to their home bases. Meanwhile, the military’s clumsy attempts to get close to the Russian Air Force units made them look like a laughing stock