On April 20–26, 2020, NATO fighter aircraft conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states were scrambled four times to identify and escort military aircraft of the Russian Federation in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
On April 21 NATO Air Policing fighter aircraft intercepted one IL-76 flying from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia without the flight plan, with its onboard transponder on, keeping radio contact with the regional air traffic control centre.
On April 24 fighter aircraft conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states intercepted one IL-76 flying from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia, according to a pre-filed flight plan, with its onboard transponder switched on, maintaining radio communication. NATO fighter aircraft also intercepted two SU-27s flying from and back to Kaliningrad without the flight plans, their onboard transponders off, not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.
On April 24 NATO aircraft scrambled in response to two aircraft flying from Kaliningrad but both aircraft returned to Kaliningrad sooner than the NATO aircraft intercepted them or identified their type. Neither of the aircraft had flight plans, used onboard transponders or maintained radio communication.
On April 25 NATO fighter jets intercepted two SU-27s flying from Kaliningrad without the flight plans, without using onboard transponders, and without keeping radio communication. The SU-27s met one A-50 flying from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad which was also intercepted by the NATO aircraft. The A-50 had the flight plan, did not use its onboard transponder, but maintained radio communication.
Related image, credit: Antanas Giedrimas/Lithuanian Air Force
