NATO Intercepts Russian Jets Over the Baltic Sea in Major Air Defense Operation

NATO intercepted Russian military aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea on Monday, a display of air power on the alliance’s eastern flank amid ongoing tensions with Moscow. French Rafale fighters deployed from Lithuania joined jets from Sweden, Finland, Poland, Denmark, and Romania to monitor the Russian flight. The Russian formation included two supersonic Tu-22M3 strategic bombers accompanied by roughly 10 fighter jets, including Su-30 and Su-35 aircraft. NATO and French military officials said the long-range bombers and escort fighters were detected flying over international waters near NATO airspace. Fighter jets from several alliance members were scrambled to identify and monitor the aircraft. France’s detachment confirmed that its Rafale fighters were armed with air-to-air missiles and launched from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania as part of NATO’s long-running Baltic Air Policing mission. The Russian Defense Ministry said the flight was scheduled and took place entirely over neutral waters, adding that Russian military aircraft routinely conduct long-range missions over the Baltic and other regions in accordance with international airspace rules. NATO frequently intercepts Russian aircraft operating near alliance airspace, stating that many of the planes do not transmit identification signals or communicate with air traffic controllers. The alliance describes such intercepts as defensive and intended to ensure safety and situational awareness. The Baltic Air Policing mission has been in place since 2004, when Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania joined NATO, and has intensified since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The development underscores the continued strategic importance of the Baltic Sea as a focal point for NATO-Russia interactions, with routine patrols reflecting broader geopolitical strains in the region.