Russian aircraft approaches US carrier

US and South Korean fighter jets scrambled to turn back a Russian bomber that approached a US aircraft carrier during training exercises, South Korean and US officials said yesterday.

The Russian plane flew close to the USS Nimitz in waters off South Korea's eastern coast on Wednesday, but retreated shortly after the fighter jets approached, an official at the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said on condition of anonymity, citing policy.

The official refused to provide details of the fighter jets involved.