Russia intercepts US spy plane while NUCLEAR submarine activity is at Cold War levels

Dramatic footage captured the moment Russian fighter jets conducting simulated attacks on a US Navy ship in the Baltic Sea on Wednesday (April 13).

The two Russian SU-24 jets can be seen repeatedly swooping just 30ft from the boat as sailors' jaws dropped in horror.

Now it has emerged that a day later a Russian Su-27 fighter "performed erratic and aggressive manoeuvres", flying within 50 feet of a US RC-135 aircraft.

US European forces spokesman Danny Hernandez said: "The unsafe and unprofessional actions of a single pilot have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions between countries."

Under Putin, Russia's military has been beefed up by increased spending and ambitious rearmament.

This comes as Moscow – which accuses NATO of expanding towards Russia's borders – tries to pursue a more aggressive foreign policy.

The leader is outraged at NATO's missile defence shield being installed in Poland that threatens to render Russia's nuke force useless.

As reported, Russian TV accidentally filmed a document that revealed a nuclear submarine weapons system under the water involving lethal torpedoes – which would effectively by-pass the anti-missile system.

Meanwhile, a top US Navy official today (April 17) warned the Kremlin is deploying its ballistic nuclear missiles and attack submarines in numbers, range and aggression not seen since the Cold War.

"NATO is viewed as an existential threat to Russia, and in the post-Cold War period, the expansion of NATO eastward closer to Russia and our military capability they view as a very visceral threat to Russia," Admiral Mark Ferguson told CNN.

But he said: "The submarines that we're seeing are much more stealthy.

"We're seeing the Russians have more advanced weapons systems, missile systems that can attack land at long ranges, and we also see their operating proficiency is getting better as they range farther from home waters."

Moscow is adding or upgrading some 12 naval bases across the Arctic Circle – threatening the UK.

In March Russian strong man Vladimir Putin has dropped the bombshell that his military campaign in Syria has prepared his war machine for all-out conflict.

Spying is also at levels not seen since the Cold War.

Like never before, spies are finding new ways of communicating without being foiled by intelligence agencies and it is thought agents are resorting to old school methods that cannot be traced.

This includes the creepy sounding "numbers stations" that can be found on shortwave radios.

(dailystar.co.uk)