On October 24 – 30 fighter aircraft conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states were scrambled 5 times to intercept military aircraft of the Russian Federation in the international airspace over the Baltic Sea flying in violation of international aviation flight rules.
On October 24 NATO fighter aircraft conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states intercepted one IL-20 flying from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad oblast via international airspace. Its onboard transponder was switched off, the crew had no pre-filed flight plan but maintained radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.
On October 25 NATO fighter detachment intercepted one IL-20 and two SU-27s flying into international airspace out of and back to Kaliningrad. Their onboard transponders were switched off, there were no plans pre-filed for the flight and the crews did not keep radio communication.
On October 26 NATO fighter aircraft were patrolling the airspace border between the Baltic states, the Russian Federation and Belarus.
On October 27 NATO fighter aircraft were patrolling the airspace border between the Baltic states, the Russian Federation and Belarus.
On October 28 NATO fighter aircraft intercepted one IL-20 flying from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia through international airspace. The NATO Air Policing Mission capability was also scrambled to intercept two SU-27 flying from and back to Kaliningrad through international airspace. Their onboard transponders were switched off, there were no plans pre-filed for the flight and the crews did not keep radio communication.
