The United Kingdom said on Sunday that its Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter planes intercepted Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea in two incidents last week, as tensions in the region increased.
The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on Tuesday that RAF Typhoon jets were scrambled to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M “Coot-A” spy plane approaching NATO airspace. A second intercept was made two days later, on Thursday, when two Typhoons were sent to track an unidentified plane leaving Kaliningrad airspace.
The UK response is in line with NATO’s continuous attempts to secure its borders and reassure allies. The operations were performed in conjunction with Swedish troops, reflecting increased cooperation with NATO’s newest member.
Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard stressed Britain’s dedication to collective defense, as he said, “With Russian aggression growing and security threats mounting, the UK is acting to reassure our allies, deter our adversaries, and maintain national security.”
He also added, “These missions show our capacity to operate with partners such as Sweden and defend NATO airspace whenever necessary, keeping home safe and strong abroad.”
The MoD mentioned that the operations were conducted safely and professionally, with the Russian aircraft staying in international airspace. No official comment has been made by Moscow regarding the interceptions.
The encounters are occurring against a backdrop of heightened military action and tensions between Russia and the NATO nations, especially in the Baltic area, where air patrols have been strengthened since the conflict in Ukraine and general regional uncertainty.
