NATO fighter jets patrolling the airspace over the Baltic states were scrambled three times in response to Russian aircraft flying in breach of flight rules.
This was reported by Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence.
The incidents occurred between 31 August and 6 September.
On 31 August, NATO fighters took off to identify a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft. It was flying from mainland Russia to the Kaliningrad region through international airspace. The aircraft was flying with its transponder switched off and without a flight plan.
On 1 September, Alliance fighters were scrambled in response to an object that entered Estonian airspace from Russia. Lithuania’s defence ministry did not specify what the object was.
On 5 September, 12 NATO fighter jets took off to identify another Russian Il-20 heading to the Kaliningrad Region with its transponder switched off and without a flight plan.
- On 4 August, two Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20M reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea.