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Russia has intercepted a US military surveillance plane near the Baltic Sea border, it has been claimed.

The radars picked up the approaching target over neutral waters, reports RT .

The Russian Su-27 fighter then attempted to warn off the American reconnaissance aircraft P-8A Poseidon, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

The American aircraft subsequently pulled away, while the Russian jet safely returned to base.

Interfax reports that the Defence Ministry said: “Russian means of controlling the airspace over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea have detected an air target approaching the state border of the Russian Federation.

(Image: PA)

“To intercept the target, the Su-27 fighter from the duty force on air defense was raised into the air.

"The crew of the Russian fighter approached a safe distance from the air object, identified it as a P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft of the US Air Force."

After the removal of a foreign aircraft from the state border of the Russian Federation, the Russian fighter returned safely to the home airfield, the ministry added.