Russian bomber buzzes Nimitz

TOKYO, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Russia ratcheted up tensions with the United States during the weekend, by reportedly having one of its bombers fly over the USS Nimitz off the coast of Japan.

The Russian Tupolev 95 propeller bomber flew over the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier twice early Saturday, the Daily Mail reported Monday. The British newspaper noted the incident came amidst diplomatic salvos Russia has tossed regarding U.S. plans to install a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic that Moscow considers inflammatory.

The flyovers occurred as the Nimitz and accompanying ships closed in on Japan for a long-scheduled visit. The bomber was one of four detected about 500 miles away from the U.S. Navy battle group, the Daily Mail said. Two of the four flew along the Japanese coast but four U.S. F-18 fighters were launched and intercepted the other two bombers about 50 miles out.

One bomber went into a circling maneuver but the other flew almost directly over the carrier at an altitude of just 2,000 feet twice, the Daily Mail said.

There were no verbal communications between the U.S. and Russian pilots, a Pentagon official said.

"We never thought they were staging an attack," he said. "It was a Cold War tactic to scare us and make things uncomfortable."