21 Jun 2017 19:21

NATO says it unaware Shoigu was on board Russian aircraft tracked by alliances' fighters

BRUSSELS. June 21 (Interfax) - NATO has no information that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was on board a Russian aircraft tracked by NATO fighter jets, the alliance's official told Interfax on Wednesday evening.

"NATO can confirm that three Russian aircraft, including two fighters, were tracked over the Baltic Sea earlier today (21 June 2017). As the aircraft did not identify themselves or respond to air traffic control, NATO fighter jets scrambled to identify them, according to standard procedures," the official said.

"NATO has no information as to who was on board," the official said.