Russian MiG-31 intercepted USN P-8A near Kamchatka

The U.S. Pacific Command has confirmed that on Apr. 21, a P-8A flying near Kamchatka Peninsular was intercepted by a Russian MiG-31 interceptor.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31BM in flight
By Konstantin Tyurpeko (http://russianplanes.net/id161326) [CC BY-SA 4.0 or CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Cmdr. Dave Benham said the intercept was “safe and professional” but Washington Beacon quoted an anonymous defense official as saying that the Russia fighter came within 50 feet of the maritime patrol aircraft.