Germany scrambled two fighter jets and intercepted a Russian IL-20 military plane flew over neutral airspace, over the Baltic Sea.
Germany’s Air Force said they were tasked by NATO to investigate the “unidentified aircraft” which was flying with no flight plan and was not in radio contact.
The Air Force said, “Once again, our quick reaction alert force, consisting of two Eurofighters, was tasked by Nato with investigating an unidentified aircraft without a flight plan or radio contact in international airspace.
“It was a Russian IL-20M reconnaissance aircraft.
“After visual identification, we handed over escort duties for the aircraft to our Swedish Nato partners and returned to Rostock-Laage.”
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Foreign Secretary warns the UN Russia ‘risks miscalculation to direct confrontation’ with NATO
Tensions are at an all time high between Russia and NATO and the US President has said he “would” help to defend the EU from Moscow’s aggression.
The Foreign Secretary has told the United Nation Security Council in New York that Russia is risking “direct confrontation” with NATO by violating the alliance’s airspace.
On 10 September Russia launched 19 “suicide drones” which “violated” Polish airspace and were shot down by NATO jets.
On 13 September Russian drones violated Polish and Romanian airspace whilst Ukraine was under a major aerial bombardment.
On 19 September three Russian MIG-31 fighter jets deliberately flew into Estonian airspace, which has been seen yet as another provocation by Vladimir Putin.
Cooper told the UN Security Council, “If we need to confront planes that are operating in NATO airspace without permission, we will do so.”
She said, “At worst, they are a deliberate attempt to undermine the territorial integrity of sovereign nations and European security.
“They risk miscalculation, they open the door to direct armed confrontation between NATO and Russia.”
Estonian foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna said Russia’s actions are “brazen” Russia’s move is “part of a broader pattern of escalation by Russia, both regionally and globally”.
Tsahnka added, “This behaviour requires an international response.”
Estonia’s defence minister, Hanno Pevkur said, “This is exactly what Russia wants – to divert our attention away from helping Ukraine and to focus on our own backyard. That’s the key goal.”
Latvia’s President, Edgars Rinkevics warned, “Russia is doing just enough to make it seem like it is not going too far. But, knowing both the logic of thinking in Russia and the frequent incompetence at various levels, this [a conflict] could happen. The responsibility will lie with the Kremlin.”
