UK Intercepts Russian Aircraft Near NATO Baltic Airspace
Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoons stationed in Poland were scrambled three times in three days this week to intercept and identify Russian military aircraft flying near NATO airspace over the Baltic Sea, The Gaze reports, referencing Royal Air Force.
According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the interceptions were part of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing (eAP) mission, carried out under Operation Chessman by the UK’s 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW), currently deployed to Malbork Air Base.
On Tuesday, April 15, RAF Typhoons were launched twice: first to intercept an Ilyushin Il-20M, a reconnaissance aircraft known by its NATO code name Coot-A, and later to shadow two SU-30SM2 FLANKER-H fighter jets.
All aircraft were detected leaving Kaliningrad airspace and were not communicating with civilian air traffic control — a common reason for NATO scrambling jets to ensure regional air safety.
On Thursday, April 17, the Typhoons were once again airborne to intercept another Il-20M approaching NATO airspace, marking the third incident in as many days.
“Today was the third time in three days that NATO have scrambled RAF assets at Malbork, today’s mission was to intercept and identify the unknown aircraft departing Kaliningrad air space,” said a spokesperson from 140 EAW. “ It was not communicating, so once intercepted we shadowed the aircraft to protect civilian air traffic in the immediate area.”
The UK’s Operation Chessman underscores Britain’s commitment to NATO’s air policing missions amid heightened tensions in Eastern Europe. The deployment also includes cooperation with Sweden, NATO’s newest member, enhancing regional surveillance and deterrence capabilities.
As The Gaze previously reported, Russian sensors, spying on British nuclear submarines, have been found in the seas around the UK. The Royal Navy discovered the devices after several washed ashore, raising concerns about national security.
Read more on The Gaze: Can the West Curb Russia’s Shadow Fleet?