Hungarian JAS 39 Gripen fighters, deployed for NATO’s Air Policing mission in Lithuania, intercepted on September 25 a formation of Russian military aircraft approaching allied airspace over the Baltic Sea, the alliance said in a statement.
According to NATO, radars identified a group of five Russian aircraft flying without following international aviation safety protocols. The formation included a Su-30, a Su-35, and three MiG-31 fighters.
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The absence of flight plans, switched-off transponders, and lack of communication with civilian air traffic control led to the rapid mobilization of allied air defense.
Interception and Escort
The Gripen fighters took off from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania and carried out visual identification of the aircraft west of the Latvian coast. After the escort, the Russian planes moved away from the area and the allied jets returned safely to base.
Air Policing Operation
The interception is part of NATO’s ongoing Air Policing mission, a peacetime operation that ensures the protection of member states’ airspace. The operation runs 24/7 and is designed to guarantee an immediate response against any aerial activity considered unauthorized or potentially dangerous.
According to NATO, such missions are routine but essential for maintaining air security and the territorial integrity of the alliance, especially in the Baltic region, where encounters between Russian and NATO aircraft have been occurring frequently in recent months.
Source and images: X @NATO_AIRCOM. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
