According to the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence, NATO fighter jets flew to identify a Russian IL-20 aircraft that was traversing international airspace from mainland Russia to the Kaliningrad region last Monday. The aircraft was reported to be operating without an activated transponder, lacking a flight plan, and without established radio communication with the Regional Flight Control Centre (RSVC). In addition, NATO jets were also dispatched on Friday to identify two other Russian aircraft: a Su-24MR and a Su-33, which were also flying in international airspace without the necessary communication protocols.

On Saturday, NATO fighters took off again to identify another Su-24MR and a Su-33, repeating the concerning pattern of Russian aircraft operating without proper transponders and flight plans in international airspace. These incidents underscore ongoing tensions in the region, where NATO's air policing mission has been active since March 2004, when Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia joined NATO as member states. This air policing operation aims to enhance the security of the Baltic states amid increasing Russian military activity in the area.

The continued identification of these Russian aircraft raises questions about safety and security in Baltic airspace, as well as the protocols for international air travel. Such incidents not only point to the potential threats posed by uncommunicative military aircraft but also reflect broader geopolitical tensions between NATO and Russia, hinting at the possibility of future escalations in the region as both sides remain vigilant about air sovereignty and military presence.