Passenger jet diverted off Irish coast to avoid Russian bombers
Two Tu-95 bombers flew into Irish airspace with transponders turned off before RAF saw them off

Two Russian bombers flying in Irish-controlled airspace forced a commercial plane carrying hundreds of people to divert in mid-air and delayed another plane's take-off from Dublin airport.
The Tu-95 bombers, which flew just 46km off the coast with their transponders turned off, "criss-crossed into major civilian airline traffic lanes" on 18 February, reports the Irish Examiner.
The bombers are believed to be the same ones that entered British airspace that day, when RAF Typhoon fighters were scrambled to see them off.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"The move was seen as a show of strength by Russia amid tensions over the conflict in Ukraine," says the Daily Telegraph.
David Cameron is among the European leaders to accuse Vladimir Putin of challenging the territorial integrity of Ukraine, where 11 months of conflict has left more than 6,000 people dead.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) told the Irish Examiner that, at the request of its British counterparts, it had delayed one aircraft's departure from Dublin and rerouted another aircraft in the air to ensure its pathway was "sufficiently separated" from the track of the two Russian bombers.
It added that there had been "no safety impact to civilian traffic in Irish controlled airspace".
Ireland's defence minister Simon Coveney said the government "was clearly not happy" about the incident, but added: "I'd be surprised if it was a Russian tactic to upset Ireland, and the IAA managed the incident safely and effectively."
It was the second time in just two weeks that Russian bombers flew into Irish air space without warning. Following the first incursion, Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs said it had sought reassurances from the Russian ambassador that its military aircraft would not fly into its area of control without advance notification, especially if their transponders were off.
"That request seems to have fallen on deaf ears in the Kremlin," says the Examiner.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What does 'conquering' Gaza mean to Israel?
Today's Big Question Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet has approved a plan to displace much of the Palestinian population while seizing and occupying the territory on a long-term basis.
-
Casey Means: the controversial 'wellness influencer' nominated for surgeon general
In the Spotlight Means has drawn controversy for her closeness to RFK Jr.
-
Trump taps Fox News' Pirro for DC attorney post
speed read The president has named Fox News host Jeanine Pirro to be the top federal prosecutor for Washington, replacing acting US Attorney Ed Martin
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical