On March 23–29, 2020, NATO fighter aircraft conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states were scrambled five times to identify and escort military aircraft of the Russian Federation in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
On March 24 NATO air policing fighter aircraft intercepted one AN-26 flying from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia according to a flight plan, without using its onboard transponder, maintaining communication with the regional air traffic control centre.
On March 25 NATO fighter aircraft intercepted one Su-24 flying from Kaliningrad and then back to Kaliningrad without the flight plan, without using the onboard transponder, without keeping radio contact with the regional air traffic control centre.
On March 25 NATO air policing mission fighter aircraft intercepted one AN-26 flying from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad according to a pre-filed flight plan, with its onboard transponder off, maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.
On March 26 NATO fighter aircraft intercepted one AN-26 flying from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia according to a flight plan, with its onboard transponder off, maintaining radio communication.
On March 27 NATO air policing crews intercepted one AN-26 flying from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad according to a flight plan, without using its onboard transponder, maintaining radio communication.
Related image, credit: Antanas Giedrimas/Lithuanian Air Force
