NATO scrambles jets after Russian reconnaissance plane spotted over Baltic Sea
Photo: Two Eurofighter jets depart from Germany's Rostock-Laage Air Base (Getty Images)
On Sunday, September 21, NATO scrambled fighter jets after a Russian reconnaissance plane flew over the Baltic Sea, reports Handelsblatt.
The German Air Force said the unidentified aircraft initially moved in international airspace without a flight plan. It also did not establish communication.
Two Eurofighter jets were launched from the Rostock-Laage Air Base to intercept the unknown plane. Visual confirmation revealed it was a Russian Il-20M reconnaissance aircraft.
Russia crosses the red line
The situation in the Baltic region has escalated due to repeated violations of airspace by Russia.
On September 19, three Russian MiG-31K fighter jets illegally entered Estonian airspace. NATO responded by intercepting the aircraft.
Later, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said such incidents are completely unacceptable for the country.
"NATO is acting exactly as agreed. While there was no direct military threat to Estonia, we absolutely do not accept Russia violating Estonian and NATO airspace," Tsahkna said.
Following the incident, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sought to justify the flight. Officials claimed their planes did not cross any borders and were on a planned route from Karelia to an airfield in Kaliningrad.
After the episode, Estonian opposition politician Urmas Reinsalu proposed closing the eastern border. However, Interior Minister Igor Taro said there are currently no plans to restrict the land border, as the violation involved airspace. He explained that closing the border would require a provocation on land.
