NATO jets were scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft 9 times in a week
Last week, aircraft from the NATO air policing mission in the Baltic States were scrambled to identify and escort Russian military aircraft nine times. Estonian daily newspaper Postimees referred to the Estonian Ministry of Defense as their source. On the 16th of May, Russian IL-20s and AN-26s flew in the international airspace over the Baltic Sea towards the Kaliningrad region.
On the 17th of May, fighter jets were scrambled to identify and escort more IL-20’s and two Su-27 fighters. The IL-20 aircraft flew from mainland Russia to the Kaliningrad region on schedule. The Su-27’s met with them and returned to Kaliningrad. On the 18th of May, NATO fighter jets were scrambled twice. First, they escorted an IL-22 flying from Kaliningrad, then they intercepted four Su-27 fighter jets.
On the 19th of May, fighter jets were scrambled three times. First, they escorted an IL-20 aircraft to Kaliningrad. The second time was when IL-18 and Tu-134 flew from Russia to Kaliningrad. The third time, fighter jets were scrambled to intercept an IL-18. On the 20th of May, NATO fighter jets identified Russian IL-20 and AN-26 aircraft, again journeying between mainland Russia and the Kaliningrad region.
On the 21st of May, aircraft of the NATO air policing mission in the Baltic States were scrambled to identify and escort Russian IL-38 military aircraft that flew in international airspace from mainland Russia to the Kaliningrad region.