MOSCOW — The Russian military says it scrambled a fighter jet to escort a U.S. intelligence plane over the Baltic Sea.

The Defense Ministry did not say when the incident happened as it released a video shot from the Su-27 fighter’s cockpit as it was approaching the U.S. RC-135 aircraft. It added Thursday that the fighter returned to its base after the U.S. plane flew away.

Russian fighter comes within feet of Air Force recon plane
Russian fighter comes within feet of Air Force recon plane

A Russian fighter flew "within several feet" of an Air Force reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea Monday in the latest in a series of alarmingly close encounters between the two militaries.

By: Stephen Losey

Russia has repeatedly said that the U.S. and its NATO allies have increased the number of intelligence missions alongside Russia's borders in recent years, describing them as part of the alliance's buildup that threatens Russia's security.

The U.S. and NATO have frequently complained that Russian fighters escorting their warplanes perform dangerous maneuvers, the claims Moscow has rejected.

Russia: U.S. RC-135 flight in Sea of Japan was a safety risk
Russia: U.S. RC-135 flight in Sea of Japan was a safety risk

Russia's Defense Ministry has spelled out why it believes a U.S. reconnaissance flight over the Sea of Japan was a safety risk, saying the plane risked colliding with civilian airliners.

By: Associated Press