U.S. official: No hostile Russian intent against U.S.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States does not believe Russia has hostile intentions toward it, a senior U.S. defense official said on Wednesday, downplaying concern about a Russian bomber mission near a U.S. aircraft carrier.

"There is absolutely no one that I know of that's hyperventilating over this situation," the defense official said about the weekend bomber flights south of Japan.

"You always look at somebody's capability and intent. And, OK, the Russians have the capability. What's their intent?

"Do we believe that the Russians have a hostile intent against the United States? I don't think that anyone feels that that's the case," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Four U.S. fighter jets were scrambled on February 9 to escort Russian bombers that approached the USS Nimitz south of Japan. One Russian bomber flew over the deck of the aircraft carrier, escorted by a U.S. fighter jet.

Some U.S. lawmakers have raised concerns about the incident, which comes as Moscow says it will revive some of the military power and reach that was allowed to collapse with the Soviet Union.

Sen. Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, said the Russian action sounded "provocative" but military officials have stressed they do not agree.

U.S.-Russian relations have become strained, with Washington concerned that Russian democracy is being eroded and Moscow complaining of U.S. interference. A dispute over U.S. plans to place missile defense assets in former Soviet-allied territory has also raised tensions.

(Reporting by Kristin Roberts, Editing by Alan Elsner)