NATO fighters intercepted Russian planes over the Baltic Sea
Kyiv • UNN
Aircraft from six Alliance countries took to the air to intercept a group of Russian bombers. The Russian Ministry of Defense called the four-hour flight a planned one.
NATO fighters intercepted Russian strategic bombers and fighters over the Baltic Sea near the Alliance's eastern flank. This was reported by Euronews, writes UNN.
Details
According to the French military contingent based in Lithuania as part of NATO's Baltic air policing mission, fighters from several Alliance countries were scrambled on Monday, April 20.
Aircraft from Sweden, Finland, Poland, Denmark, and Romania, as well as French Rafales, participated in the operation.
According to available information, the Russian side involved two Tu-22M3 strategic bombers and about ten Su-30 and Su-35 fighters, which accompanied them during the flight.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the flight was planned and took place over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea in compliance with international rules. The flight lasted more than four hours.
NATO notes that such interceptions occur regularly, in particular due to the fact that Russian aircraft often do not use transponders, do not contact dispatchers, and do not submit a flight plan.