RAF joins US, NATO in 12-hour mission near Russian borders as Putin tests alliance
Photo: British Defense Secretary John Healey (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Two Royal Air Force planes conducted a 12-hour mission with US and NATO forces to patrol Russia's border amid recent Russian drone and fighter jet incursions into alliance airspace, reports Reuters.
According to Defense Secretary John Healey, the mission not only provides valuable intelligence to enhance operational awareness for the British Armed Forces but also sends a strong message of NATO unity to President Vladimir Putin and Britain's adversaries.
"This was a substantial joint mission with our US and NATO allies," Healey said.
Unidentified drones flying over Europe
Over the past month, unidentified drones have been detected in the airspace of multiple European countries, flying over military sites and critical infrastructure. They were spotted in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Germany, and France. In some cities, civilian airports were temporarily closed.
In Germany's Geilenkirchen, an unidentified drone was recorded flying over an airbase hosting NATO reconnaissance aircraft.
