“The
Irish Aviation Authority says flights of two Russian bombers through
Irish-controlled international airspace in February disrupted
commercial airliners carrying hundreds of people. The IAA says one
aircraft was delayed from taking off from Dublin and another aircraft
was diverted in mid-air to avoid potential collisions with the
bombers. However, it is not still clear why it took the company two
weeks to reveal the news.”
“Tu-95
bombers did not enter Irish sovereign airspace, but flew in Irish
controlled airspace within 45 kilometers off the coast of Ireland.
The two British RAF Typhoon fighters, armed with air-to-air missiles,
were then deployed to escort away the Russian aircraft. The incident
is believed to have occurred during the same February 18 incident in
which Typhoon fighters were scrambled to escort two Russian bear
bombers identified flying close to British airspace.”
“Moscow
has repeatedly said that its military aviation flights in neutral
airspace do not violate any international norms regulating this
sphere. The IAA also acknowledged that there had been 'no safety
impact to civilian traffic in Irish controlled airspace. The Irish
Defense Minister also admitted the action did not seem deliberate.
'I’d be surprised if it was a Russian tactic to upset Ireland, and
the IAA managed the incident safely and effectively,' said Simon
Coveney.”
Previously:
Comments
Post a Comment