German and French Air Forces Scramble Fighters over Russian Il-20s near Finland and Estonia

The German Air Force scrambled a Eurofighter fighter jet the day before because of a Russian Il-20M military aircraft spotted near Finland. 

In addition, the French Air Force scrambled a Mirage aircraft off the coast of Estonia because of the presence of a Russian reconnaissance Il-20 without a flight plan. 

Two incidents were reported on Tuesday by the Luftwaffe and the General Staff of the French Armed Forces.

According to the German Air Force, the incident with the Russian aircraft occurred on Monday, 26 February, when an alarm was raised in La Hague.

"A Russian Il-20M aircraft without a flight plan was detected southeast of Helsinki by our Eurofighters. The mission was completed after visual contact without further incident," the statement said.

The day before, the French Armed Forces also reported on the operation to intercept a Russian reconnaissance aircraft.

"Alert and interception of a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft off the coast of Estonia by a French Mirage 2000-5. The goal: to protect the airspace of our Baltic allies," the General Staff of the French Armed Forces said.

This is not the first time that allies have intercepted Russian aircraft. In particular, in November 2023, Norwegian F-35 fighter jets intercepted Russian bombers and fighters. They were spotted near NATO airspace.