US accuses Russian jets of "unsafe" intercept

The U.S. Department of Defense identified the planes as Russian Su-27 jets and said they crossed "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 U.S. claims the B-52 was conducting "routine operations" over international waters when the incident occurred.