Russian aircraft breaches Baltic airspace, prompting three intervention operations by NATO
10:48 AM EST, February 13, 2024
The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense stated that Moscow violated flight regulations last week. This included the conduct of Russian Il-20 and Il-78 aircraft, which entered the airspace of Baltic countries near the Polish border.
NATO responds three times
NATO conducted two interventions last Wednesday and a third on Friday. Such actions from the alliance were necessitated by the refusal of Russian aircraft to establish communication with the Regional Air Traffic Control Center or provide their flight plans.
"On February 7, NATO air police pilots were dispatched to identify and escort the Il-20 aircraft, which was flying in international airspace from mainland Russia toward Russia's Kaliningrad region," said the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense. Similar action was taken against the Moscow Il-78 aircraft the same day.
On Friday, February 9th, "NATO's air police pilots were again sent to identify the Il-20 aircraft. The Il-20 was flying in international airspace from the Kaliningrad Region of Russia back toward the same region," the Lithuanian ministry further explained.
The endeavors of NATO services were carried out as part of the Baltic Air Policing mission, responsible for patrolling the regions of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Among the servicemen there include Poles from the 31st Tactical Aviation Base in Krzesiny.
Source: Ministry of National Defense of Lithuania
