During 2023, NATO air forces flew more than three hundred times to intercept russian military aircraft. This is reported by the Alliance's press service, UNN reports.
Details
It is noted that the largest number of intercepts took place over the Baltic Sea.
The agency explained that Russian military aircraft typically do not transmit a transponder code indicating their location and altitude when flying along NATO's eastern flank. In addition, the Russians did not file a flight plan or communicate with air traffic controllers.
At the same time, the Alliance emphasizes that most air encounters between NATO and Russian aircraft have been safe and professional. Violations of NATO airspace by russian military aircraft remained rare and usually short-lived.
Russia's war against Ukraine has created the most dangerous security situation in Europe in decades. NATO fighter jets are on standby around the clock, ready to take off in the event of suspicious or unannounced flights near our Allies' airspace. Air policing is an important way in which NATO ensures the security of our Allies
Addendum
Since russia's war in Ukraine, NATO has significantly strengthened air defenses on its eastern flank, including with more fighter jets, reconnaissance flights, and ground-based air defense.
In addition, following repeated russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure very close to NATO territory, Allies deployed additional fighter jets to Romania.
Also this year, NATO also conducted its largest air exercise in history, with more than 250 aircraft training for the Alliance's collective defense during Exercise Air Defender 23.
Recall
Today, an unidentified aircraft flew into Polish airspace from Ukraine during the russian attack . Polish air defense forces observed it until the signal was lost.