British Typhoon fighter jets intercept Russian aircraft over the Baltic three times in one week
Over the past week, British Eurofighter Typhoons participating in NATO's Baltic Air Policing operation took off three times to intercept Russian aircraft near the airspace of the Baltic States. This was reported by the press service of the Royal Air Force of Great Britain.
Here's What We Know
On 15 April, British pilots took to the skies twice: first to identify an Il-20M electronic reconnaissance aircraft, and then two Su-30MKI fighters. Another flight took place on 17 April for the same purpose - to intercept another Il-20M.
Russian IL-20Ms. Illustration: Royal British Air Force
It is noted that the reason for the combat readiness was the regular flights of Russian aircraft with transponders switched off - devices that allow civilian air traffic controllers to identify air objects.
This behaviour poses a potential danger to civil aviation routes and is also seen as a show of force and an attempt to exert psychological pressure on NATO member states.
It is worth explaining that Baltic Air Policing is the Alliance's permanent mission to protect the airspace of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, which, after joining NATO in 2004, did not have the capacity to patrol their skies on their own. The operation is carried out in turn by different Allies, with permanent bases at Siauliai, Lithuania, and Emari, Estonia, which has been operational since 2014.
Source: RAF
