NATO jets identify Russian aircraft in Baltic airspace

NATO fighter jets were scrambled three times last week in the Baltic states to intercept and identify Russian aircraft that were not following international flight rules. These intercepts involved Russian planes flying towards the Kaliningrad region, an exclave of Russia situated between Poland and Lithuania.

On Thursday, NATO jets identified a Russian An-72 aircraft en route from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad. The following day, two more Russian aircraft, an SU-30S and an SU24MR, were intercepted while also flying towards Kaliningrad through international airspace. Two of these three aircraft used radar transponders during their flight and maintained contact with the Regional Air Traffic Control Center.

However, all the identified Russian aircraft were flying without a flight plan, a violation of standard air traffic regulations. A radar transponder is a device that sends a signal to make an aircraft visible to radar. The Regional Air Traffic Control Center is responsible for monitoring and managing air traffic.

In addition to these intercepts, NATO fighter jets were also scrambled once for patrol duties along the Polish border. This increased activity highlights ongoing vigilance in the region's airspace.