Passenger jet diverted off Irish coast to avoid Russian bombers
Two Tu-95 bombers flew into Irish airspace with transponders turned off before RAF saw them off
Two Russian bombers flying in Irish-controlled airspace forced a commercial plane carrying hundreds of people to divert in mid-air and delayed another plane's take-off from Dublin airport.
The Tu-95 bombers, which flew just 46km off the coast with their transponders turned off, "criss-crossed into major civilian airline traffic lanes" on 18 February, reports the Irish Examiner.
The bombers are believed to be the same ones that entered British airspace that day, when RAF Typhoon fighters were scrambled to see them off.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"The move was seen as a show of strength by Russia amid tensions over the conflict in Ukraine," says the Daily Telegraph.
David Cameron is among the European leaders to accuse Vladimir Putin of challenging the territorial integrity of Ukraine, where 11 months of conflict has left more than 6,000 people dead.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) told the Irish Examiner that, at the request of its British counterparts, it had delayed one aircraft's departure from Dublin and rerouted another aircraft in the air to ensure its pathway was "sufficiently separated" from the track of the two Russian bombers.
It added that there had been "no safety impact to civilian traffic in Irish controlled airspace".
Ireland's defence minister Simon Coveney said the government "was clearly not happy" about the incident, but added: "I'd be surprised if it was a Russian tactic to upset Ireland, and the IAA managed the incident safely and effectively."
It was the second time in just two weeks that Russian bombers flew into Irish air space without warning. Following the first incursion, Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs said it had sought reassurances from the Russian ambassador that its military aircraft would not fly into its area of control without advance notification, especially if their transponders were off.
"That request seems to have fallen on deaf ears in the Kremlin," says the Examiner.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Dresden: on the trail of a Romantic icon in Germany
the week recommends The Saxon city celebrates the 250th birthday of Caspar David Friedrich this year
By The Week UK Published
-
5 tremendously trending cartoons on the TikTok showdown
Cartoons Artists take on Chinese influence, privacy concerns, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Recipe: nasi goreng spicy fried rice
The Week Recommends Perfect for weeknights, this gluten-free twist on Indonesian fried rice is 'oh-so-good'
By The Week UK Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published