American B‑52H bombers intercepted by Russian MiG fighters

Russian media and the local Ministry of Defense report the scrambling of MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighters from the territory of the Russian Federation. The aircraft were said to have intercepted two American strategic bombers B-52H on Sunday, July 21, which, as reported on the Bulgarian Military portal, were approaching Russian airspace.

The statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense reads that at the time of monitoring the airspace over the Barents Sea, a group of aerial targets approaching the state border of Russia was identified. MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighters from the on-duty air defense team were dispatched to prevent a violation.

The Russian agency RIA Novosti adds that the fighter crews identified two American strategic bombers, B-52H, in the air. Upon the fighters’ approach, the bombers turned away from the Russian border. Earlier, American equipment was reported to be approaching Russia. However, the bombers did not breach Russian airspace.

Bulgarian Military explains that the interception of American bombers can be considered part of routine military operations. The USA often conducts reconnaissance missions near the borders of potential adversaries. These actions not only aim to gather valuable intelligence but also serve as a show of strength.

The Sunday, July 21 incident is not the first of its kind. Recently, the Russians escorted, among others, a patrol aircraft belonging to the Norwegian Armed Forces. The reconnaissance Boeing P-8A Poseidon, similar to the American B-52H, was also flying over the Barents Sea.

Let us recall that the B-52 bomber, produced by the American Boeing, is a design originating from the 1950s. After modernization, it is expected to be operational for almost 100 years. This gigantic strategic long-range bomber, measuring 159 feet in length and with a wingspan of nearly 185 feet, can carry as much as 34 tons of ammunition. Besides being highly efficient (the B-52H variant has a range of over 10,125 miles), the American machine is also inexpensive to maintain and reliable.

In contrast, the Russian MiG-29, which, along with the MiG-31, escorted the American aircraft, is a front-line fighter produced since the 1980s. It is capable of transporting 6 tons of ammunition on nine weapon hardpoints. Its range is over 1,050 miles in the basic equipment version, and its maximum speed reaches Mach 2.3, which is over 1,491 mph.

The MiG-31 is a supersonic interceptor fighter whose serial production began in the late 1970s. Compared to the smaller MiG-29, it achieves a higher speed of up to Mach 2.8 (approximately 2,113 mph). Under its fuselage, there is space for ammunition on eight weapon hardpoints.