US Jets Intercept Russian Sub-Hunter Aircraft Over Pacific Ocean

The US Navy reportedly intercepted a Russian Il-38N anti-submarine aircraft flying in close proximity to the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier group over the Pacific Ocean.

The incident is believed to have taken place earlier this month, although the exact date remains unclear.

In a video shared by Instagram user “ryans_warbirds,” a Russian Il-38N maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft was seen shadowed by a pair of US F-35C and F/A-18F fighters. It is unclear if the user captured the video himself or obtained it from another channel.

The video was taken aboard a naval vessel, which Newsweek claimed to be the USS Carl Vinson.

A Russian Telegram channel called “Pacific Rim” shared two photos on March 18, ostensibly taken from the cockpit of the Il-38N that showed a US F-35C to its port (left) side and F/A-18F to the starboard (right). The position of the jets in the video matched those from the US vessel.

The channel claimed the incident took place when the Il-38N flew “combat training missions over the waters of the Sea of ​​Japan” and that the US-made fighters were being operated by South Korea and Japan.

A US Pacific Fleet spokesperson subsequently confirmed to Newsweek that a Russian aircraft had been intercepted and escorted in proximity to the USS Carl Vinson in the Pacific Ocean without specifying the time of the incident nor the model of the aircraft involved.

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“The interaction was considered safe and professional,” the spokesperson told Newsweek.

A photo of an F-35C taken aboard the Carl Vinson on March 19 and released by the US military, confirmed that “trilateral operations between the US, Republic of Korea navies, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force” took place around the same timeframe.

“Trilateral operations between the US Navy, Republic of Korea Navy, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force continue to advance combined naval interoperability, ensure our militaries and self-defense forces can operate together against any threat, and demonstrate combined commitment to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” the photo’s caption says.

The Russian military did not respond to Newsweek’s request for comments.

The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group arrived in Guam on March 24 for a scheduled visit and departed on March 27, according to the US military’s press service.

As reported by Kyiv Post separately it is believed the carrier group is headed to the Indian Ocean to tie up with strategic bombers positioned at Diego Garcia.