The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon jets have intercepted two Russian aircraft near Baltic States when the aircraft tried to approach Baltic airspace without sharing a flight plan.
According to the UK Defence Ministry, one of the aircraft was identified as an Il-20M ‘Coot’ A surveillance aircraft, while the second aircraft was an An-26 ‘Curl’ transport plane.
The latest interception marks the Typhoon’s fourth tasking since May after deploying to the Baltic as part of the Nato Baltic Air Policing mission.
UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "The interception of Russian Military aircraft by our RAF Typhoon fighters underlines our commitment to Nato and the security of the Baltic region.
"RAF air and ground crew are doing vital work to defend the skies above and around the Baltic States and I look forward to seeing that work first hand in the near future."
The latest mission was conducted in collaboration with the Estonian Air Force and the RAF Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS) detachment at Amari in Estonia.
The UK has deployed four RAF Typhoons to Amari airbase in Estonia. These jets are operating alongside Norwegian aircraft between May and August this year to secure Nato’s airspace over the Baltic nations of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.
In May, RAF Typhoon jets intercepted a Russian Military aircraft near Baltic airspace.
During the mission, the jets identified and escorted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft that was flying in international airspace until it departed the area.
In addition, two RAF Typhoon fighters had intercepted two Russian Tu-95 Bear long-range bombers earlier this year, when the aircraft were flying in international airspace near the UK.
Image: An RAF Typhoon accompanying a Russian Coot surveillance aircraft over the Baltic. Photo: courtesy of UK Ministry of Defence/ Crown copyright.
