NATO was caught off guard during massive military exercises by two Russian bombers.

Russia's Tu-160.

The Trident Juncture exercise, the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War, took place in Norway from October 25 to November 7. Approximately 50,000 military personnel from 30 alliance member and partner countries participated. The main exercise area was located more than a thousand kilometers from the Russian border, and air operations could take place up to 500 kilometers away.

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that two military aircraft had conducted a ten-hour flight over the Barents and Norwegian Seas. The Ministry emphasized that the two aircraft did not violate the borders of other countries and conducted the flight in accordance with international rules on the use of airspace.

Furthermore, Russia also informed NOTAM (Notice To AirMen – meaning the dissemination of updates on changes in flight operations and provision of aviation information) about flights scheduled to take place from November 1st to 3rd over the Norwegian Sea. This message also caused concern for NATO.

According to the plan, the Tu-160 was to approach the Norwegian coast, at a distance of 13.9 nautical miles. However, as noted by the television channel, the flights would take place within the North Atlantic Alliance's exercise area.

It is also known that the Russian Navy will conduct missile training flights from November 6th to 9th in the Barents Sea and international waters north of Norway.

According to RT news agency, Britain has scrambled two fighter jets to escort the two Russian aircraft.