NATO fighter jets were deployed multiple times last week to identify and escort Russian aircraft flying without proper flight plans over international airspace.
According to data from the Ministry, NATO air policing fighter jets were active last week when they had to identify and escort several Russian military aircraft. On Monday, they intercepted an IL-20M aircraft and an SU-30 flying from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad without transponders or filed flight plans, raising concerns about their activities in international airspace. The Russian planes maintained communication with the Regional Flight Control Center but did not follow standard protocol.
On Thursday, two SU-24M aircraft were also intercepted by NATO jets. These aircraft exhibited similar behavior, traveling from Kaliningrad within international airspace without the necessary transponders or flight plans. This lack of compliance further highlighted the potential risks associated with military aviation in the region, particularly as tensions remain high between NATO and Russia.
Finally, on Friday, NATO fighter jets had to engage again, identifying another IL-20 aircraft traveling from Kaliningrad back to mainland Russia under the same non-compliant conditions. The repeated interceptions indicate a pattern of Russian military aircraft operating in international airspace without following standard procedures, which raises significant security concerns for NATO and European airspace integrity.
