Two Russian TU-95 bombers flew over Icelandic airspace on 16 June, in
apparently the fifth occasion that armed Russian aircraft have flown over Iceland this year.
The two planes flew over Iceland at an altitude of 24,000 to 30,000 and did not announce their arrival beforehand, according the Office of Defense. These aircraft are capable of carring nuclear weapons but there has been no confirmation on what, if any, arms the planes were carrying.
The Office of Defense followed the flight of the bombers, which last eight minutes, as it passed over Iceland before heading into the NATO territory of Britain and Norway. Air traffic controllers were alerted of their presence, as was the Coast Guard.
Since the American NATO base left Iceland in 2006, 54 Russian bombers have flown over the country on 23 separate occasions.
(Photo: cjreporting.com)