Russian planes intercepted near N.L

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http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/cbc/100730/canada/canada_newfoundland_nl_russian_plan\

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Russian planes intercepted near N.L

Fri Jul 30, 5:24 PM

ST..JOHNS (CBC) - Canadian F-18 fighter planes intercepted two Russian bombers

450 kilometres east of Labrador Wednesday.

Defence Minister MacKay confirmed the long-range bombers made several

attempts to probe Canadian airspace on Wednesday.

They were met by two fighter jets from Bagotville, Que.

MacKay said the Russians were within the 300 nautical mile buffer zone claimed

by Canada, but didn't enter the country's sovereign airspace.

Reports said the fighter jets shadowed the bombers until they turned northeast

and headed out of the zone.

MacKay said NORAD fighters have intercepted between 12 and 18 bombers annually

since 2007.