UK fighter jets intercept Russian planes near NATO airspace twice

Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighter jets have intercepted Russian planes that were approaching NATO airspace twice within 24 hours.

Source: UK Ministry of Defence

Last night, RAF Typhoons based in Estonia joined the Swedish Air Force to intercept a Russian Air Force IL-20 and a Su-27 aircraft flying close to NATO and Swedish airspace.

On the morning of 9 June, Typhoons were scrambled to intercept an AN12 aircraft and an AN72 aircraft, which were flying from the Russian mainland towards Kaliningrad Oblast. The fighter jets were later re-tasked to intercept two Tu-22Ms and two Su-30SMs flying south from the Russian mainland over the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea.

Portuguese and Romanian F-16 fighter jets based at the Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania were also scrambled to escort the Russian planes.

"These intercepts are a stark reminder that the RAF is always ready to defend our skies and those of our allies, while the coordinated action by several air forces serves as a clear demonstration of the value of our international alliances," UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said.

Previously: The destroyer HMS Defender monitored a group of three Russian warships that had approached the UK's territorial waters.

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