Tensions over the Baltic Sea escalated on Monday when two German Eurofighter jets scrambled to intercept a Russian spy aircraft. The IL-20M, flying in international airspace without a flight plan and communication, was identified by the Eurofighter jets which conducted visual identification and escorted it until handing it over to NATO forces operating from Sweden.
Read: How close is escalation? NATO on alert after Russian violations in Estonia (Video)
Eurofighter jets on standby
According to a statement from the German Luftwaffe reported by Reuters, the quick reaction force “with two Eurofighter jets, received orders from NATO to check an unidentified aircraft”. The statement adds that “it was a Russian reconnaissance aircraft IL-20M” and that “after visual identification, we handed over escort of the aircraft to our Swedish NATO partners and returned to Rostock-Laage”. The incident underscores Russia’s continued presence and activity in the region, heightening concerns about potential violations of international airspace.
Russia: Escalating tensions with NATO
Meanwhile, the North Atlantic Council is planning to meet on Tuesday to discuss the recent violation of Estonia’s airspace by Russian MiG-31 fighter jets. According to informed sources, three MiG-31 aircraft flew without permission within Estonian territory for approximately twelve minutes before departing.
Germany’s coordinated response with Eurofighter jets and NATO’s upcoming meeting demonstrate escalating tensions and the risk of further deterioration in relations with Russia, amid ongoing provocations in Baltic airspace.
