The US reconnaissance aircraft openly collected military data near the borders of Russia for several hours

The American reconnaissance aircraft Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint made an observation flight in Finnish airspace near the border with Russia on the eve of January 9, the Finnish broadcaster Yle reported, noting that such aerial spies are sent to collect information about the activities of the armed forces of the observed country.

"The Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft of the US Air Force flew in the evening in the airspace of Finland. The plane flew back and forth between Kouvola and Joensuu for a couple of hours," Yle points out.

These cities are located near the Russian border. According to the publication, the plane took off from the Waddington air base in the UK, from where it flew through the airspace of Denmark and Sweden to the Gulf of Finland, after which it entered the Finnish space.

The plane was flying at an altitude of about ten kilometers. According to Yle, the RC-135W Rivet Joint of the US Air Force is a signal reconnaissance aircraft capable of detecting and tracking radar signals and various radio systems, and also "allows its sensors to track communications at a distance of several hundred kilometers in Russia."

It is noted that these aircraft are aimed at collecting information about the activities of the armed forces of the observed country, RIA Novosti reports.

Russia has repeatedly stated about the unprecedented activity of NATO near the western borders. The Kremlin noted that Moscow does not threaten anyone, but will not ignore actions that are potentially dangerous to its interests.