Russian military flights over the Norwegian Sea have increased, with daily F-35 interceptions by Norway linked to Russian defensive measures against perceived Ukrainian threats.

Russian military surveillance flights over the Norwegian Sea have become a daily occurrence, with Norwegian F-35 fighters from Evenes Air Station frequently intercepting and identifying Russian aircraft. Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, head of the Norwegian Armed Forces Operational Headquarters, notes increased Russian military activity, including heightened military vigilance outside Russian ports and intensified GPS jamming around the Kola Peninsula. From January to mid-May 2026, Norwegian fighters conducted 39 scramble missions, identifying 51 Russian aircraft, matching the total number of interceptions in 2025. The Russian planes operate mostly over the Barents Sea and southern Norwegian Sea before returning to their bases. Norwegian authorities believe this activity is a response to increased perceived threats by Russia from Ukrainian attacks deep inside Russian territory, citing Ukraine's successful strikes on distant targets and Russia's corresponding defensive measures elsewhere, including the Baltic Sea. In late April, Russian strategic bombers equipped with cruise missiles operated in the Barents Sea, confirmed by Norwegian F-35 identification missions. Russia is also intensifying protection of its 'shadow fleet' that transports oil and gas, with increased naval escort activity noted by the British Royal Navy, although such escort is not observed in Norwegian waters. Norwegian armed forces emphasize predictability in their operations to avoid misunderstandings or unwanted escalation amid the heightened Russian military posture related to the ongoing war in Ukraine.