Germany scrambles fighter jets due to flight of Russian Il-20 over Baltic Sea
Germany scrambled fighters over Russian Il-20 flight over the Baltic Sea
German Eurofighter jets took off on Friday, April 26, to intercept a Russian military aircraft Il-20, which was detected over the Baltic Sea, according to the German Air Force (Luftwaffe).
It is noted that the Russian aircraft Il-20 (COOT-A) was identified in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. After detecting the aircraft, German fighters took off from Laage airbase.
"Our German Eurofighter jets took off from Laage for an Alpha Scramble today at around 12:45," the Luftwaffe publication states.
The statement indicates that after the Russian Il-20 (COOT-A) was identified for airspace violation over the Baltic Sea, its movement was accompanied by German Eurofighters.
Air provocations by the Russian aviation
Russia has repeatedly used its military aircraft for various provocations in international airspace.
For example, in August 2023, US air defense systems detected four military aircraft of Russia near Alaska. In the same month, the Danish Air Force intercepted two Russian bombers flying toward NATO territory.
Recently, Norwegian F-35s intercepted Russian bombers and fighters. They were detected near the airspace of the North Atlantic Alliance.
At the end of February, the Luftwaffe scrambled a Eurofighter fighter jet to intercept a Russian Il-20M military aircraft that was spotted near Finland.
