NATO deployed fighter jets to intercept a Russian aircraft violating flight regulations near the Baltic States’ borders, as reported by Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence. The NATO policing aircraft were sent out four times from April 13 to 19 to identify and intercept Russian planes.
On April 13, jets were dispatched to identify an IL-20 aircraft flying through international airspace between the Kaliningrad region and back, despite operating without a transponder, flight plan, and radio contact with the Regional Air Traffic Control Centre (RATC), breaching flight regulations.
Another aircraft, an AN-26, was also intercepted by NATO forces. Although this aircraft had an active transponder and was in radio communication, it too was operating without a flight plan.
Subsequently, on April 14, NATO jets were scrambled again to intercept the IL-20 aircraft, followed by NATO aircraft identifying two SU-30SM jets on April 15, which were also found to be violating flight regulations on the same route to and from Russia.
On April 17, NATO fighter jets were deployed once more to intercept the IL-20 aircraft, which breached aviation regulations by flying through international airspace without a transponder, flight plan, and radio contact with the RSVC while en route from and to the Kaliningrad region.
These incidents occurred amidst reports that Ukraine drones targeting Russian oil ports were permitted to use the airspace of Finland and the Baltic nations, prompting a warning from Sergei Shoigu, the Russian security council secretary, emphasizing Russia’s right to self-defense. Shoigu, reportedly with Putin’s backing, issued a stern caution to the Baltic states against acting with impunity towards Russia.
The Russian defense ministry’s TV channel Zvezda acknowledged NATO fighter jets shadowing bombers during a four-hour sortie over international waters, stating that all flights were conducted in accordance with international airspace rules.