(CNN) Russia intercepted US and Swedish reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea on Monday, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced, the latest in a series of similar encounters occurring at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow.

The Russian government statement said one of its Su-27 fighters approached the jets "at a safe distance and identified them as a US Air Force RC-135 spy plane and a Swedish Air Force Gulfstream reconnaissance aircraft."

The RC-135 is a reconnaissance aircraft used primarily for intelligence collection purposes.

"The Su-27 pilot reported on the identification of foreign reconnaissance aircraft and accompanied them, preventing violations of the Russian airspace borders in compliance with all necessary security measures," the Russian statement said. The Russians also released what they said was a video of the interception.

A US military official confirmed the encounter, but said it was safe and professional.

Read More