Finnish F/A-18C Hornet multirole fighters from the Finnish Air Force escorted a US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber during a flight along the Russian border. This was part of the Bomber Task Force Europe 26-1 exercise, which began last week from Spain, the Finnish Air Force press center reported.

The flights took place over Finland, the Baltic Sea, and Estonia, and also involved the E-3A Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft and British Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 multirole fighters. The exercise is aimed at developing NATO interoperability in the context of a strengthened presence in Eastern Europe.

This is the second joint exercise involving Finland since its accession to NATO in 2023. Russia condemned the maneuvers as a provocation, and the Russian Foreign Ministry sent a note of protest to Helsinki. The exercises will last until November 20, including flights over Norway and Poland.