On June 15-21 fighter aircraft conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states carried out 5 alert scrambles to identify and escort military aircraft of the Russian Federation in the international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
On June 15 NATO air policing fighter aircraft were directed to intercept one SU-24MR when patrolling the assigned international airspace sector, the aircraft was flying from Kaliningrad with its onboard transponder off, without the flight plan, and without keeping radio contact with the regional air traffic control centre.
June 16 NATO air policing fighter aircraft intercepted one TU-134 flying from the mainland to the Kaliningrad Oblast of the Russian Federation with its onboard transponder on, according to a pre-filed flight plan, maintaining radio communication. One AN-30 was also intercepted flying in international airspace from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia with its onboard transponder on, maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre, according to a pre-filed flight plan. A SU-24MR was intercepted with an escort of two SU-27 flying from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia, the SU-27s returned to Kaliningrad. The SU-24MR was met by two SU-35 near Estonia, the fighter aircraft came in international airspace from mainland Russia. The aircraft’s onboard transponders were off, no flight plans had been pre-filed, radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre was not maintained.
On June 16 NATO fighter aircraft intercepted one SU-24MR which was escorted by two SU-27 from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia. The SU-27s returned to Kaliningrad. Near Estonia the SU-24MR was met by two SU-35 that came in from mainland Russia, the aircraft’s onboard transponders were off, the crews had not pre-filed flight plans and were not keeping radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.
On June 18 NATO air policing aircraft intercepted one IL-20 flying from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia. Without using the onboard transponder, according to a pre-filed flight plan, maintaining radio communication.
On June 19 NATO air policing fighter aircraft intercepted one AN-12 flying from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia according to a pre-filed flight plan, maintaining radio communication, but not using its onboard transponder.
Related image, credit: Antanas Giedrimas/Lithuanian Air Force
