12. The Downing of Korean Air Flight 007 (Soviet Union, 1983)
On September 1, 1983, Korean Air Lines Flight 007, a Boeing 747 en route from New York City to Seoul, veered off course and entered Soviet airspace near the Kamchatka Peninsula. Soviet fighter jets intercepted the aircraft, and after failing to establish communication, fired air-to-air missiles, causing the plane to crash into the Sea of Japan, resulting in the deaths of all 269 passengers and crew members. Initially, Soviet authorities denied responsibility, claiming the aircraft was on a U.S. spy mission. However, mounting international evidence, including intercepted Soviet communications, led to the admission that the plane had been shot down by Soviet forces. This incident significantly heightened Cold War tensions and strained U.S.-Soviet relations. (history.com)
