Russian fighter jet forced U.S. plane to change course

World Bulletin / News Desk

The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed that an incident involving a Russian fighter jet and a U.S. reconnaissance plane took place over the Baltic Sea on April 7, though Moscow and Washington gave differing accounts of what happened.

Konashenkov said the fighter jet flew around the U.S. plane several times before forcing it to fly off. He said, "U.S. reconnaissance planes can perform routine flights only along U.S. borders."

The U.S. Defense Department said the Russian fighter had flown dangerously close to its plane and nearly collided. Pentagon spokeswoman Eileen Lainez called the flight "routine" and said the incident prompted a diplomatic protest. 

The incident comes as there are heightened tensions over Russian activities in the Baltic region. 

This week, five Nordic nations agreed to work more closely on defense after noting increased Russian military activity in the Baltics.