Korean Air Lines Flight 007 was a scheduled flight from New York City to Seoul, South Korea, when it mistakenly flew into Soviet airspace on September 1, 1983. The aircraft, a Boeing 747, was shot down by Soviet fighter jets over the Sea of Japan after it allegedly ignored warnings to divert. Initially, the Soviet government denied responsibility for the attack, prompting widespread speculation and strong reactions from the United States and its allies. The incident was particularly sensitive as it occurred during the Cold War, a time characterized by strained relations between the Soviet Union and the Western bloc.

On September 6, 1983, the Soviet Union officially admitted to shooting down Flight 007, stating that its air defense forces had mistaken the civilian aircraft for a military threat. The Soviet leadership claimed that their pilots had not realized the flight was not hostile, which was met with skepticism internationally. The admission sparked outrage, particularly from the U.S., which condemned the Soviet actions as reckless and provocative. Furthermore, the incident led to calls for stricter air traffic protocols and increased scrutiny of military engagement rules in the context of civilian aircraft.

The fallout from the shootdown was significant. The U.S. government demanded accountability, and the event was used to underline the dangers of the Cold War tensions. Families of the victims sought justice, and investigations were launched to determine how such a tragedy could occur amidst ongoing hostilities. The Soviet admission also highlighted flaws in their military protocols regarding civilian airspace and contributed to discussions about ensuring the safety of passenger flights in contested regions.