On July 2, the UK Ministry of Defence reported that a Russian Tu‑142 "Bear" maritime patrol and anti‑submarine aircraft approached the HMS Prince of Wales (R09) during a NATO exercise in the Norwegian Sea. The Russian aircraft released single‑use sonar buoys near the carrier to monitor underwater activity. In response, F‑35 fighters launched from the carrier intercepted the Russian aircraft and escorted it out of the area. The incident illustrates the ongoing tensions between NATO forces and Russia in the region.