Russians ‘Headbutt’ U.S. B-52 in Skies Over Black Sea

TRUNEWS with RICK WILES Tensions between the U.S. and Russia are returning to Cold War levels once again after two Russian fighter jets were caught on video harassing an American B-52 bomber while it was flying over international waters in the Black Sea. According to U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Command, the incident occurred at approximately 11:19 a.m. local time (4:19 a.m. EDT) on Friday. The Pentagon released video of the incident Friday night, along with the following statement: “Two Russian Su-27 Flanker pilots intercepted a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber that was conducting routine operations in the black sea over international waters. The Russian pilots flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner while crossing within 100 feet of the nose of the B-52 multiple times at co-altitude and while in afterburner causing turbulence and restricting the B-52’s ability to maneuver. “The B-52 Stratofortress aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace exercising our freedom of navigation and overflight. The U.S. Air Force routinely operates aircraft in the region in accordance with recognized international safety standards as prescribed in International Civil Aviation Organization rules of flight.” Click here to view video of the incident: https://tinyurl.com/y3ck4gxp The Russian military released a video that showed part of its intercept of the B-52, but did not include the “headbutt” maneuver. It claimed the strategic bomber – which is capable of carrying nuclear weapons – was flying toward the Russian border when it was intercepted. Meanwhile, in the new flashpoint – Belarus – tanks and armored personnel carriers were seen rolling through the streets of the capital city, Minsk. This as thousands of protesters showed up outside the home of President Alexander Lukashenko to deliver a “birthday present.” Lukashenko has blamed the West for the unrest and vowed there will be no return to the “democratic” reforms in the country’s 1994 constitution. Several European countries, particularly the nearby Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, have imposed sanctions on Lukashenko and his government. The Kremlin says there’s no longer any need to send Russian troops into the neighboring country, claiming Lukashenko has the situation there under control. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov also told reporters Moscow is ready to support its close ally with the amending of its current constitution, if asked. (Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force) www.trunews.com