NATO jets intercept Russian bombers over Baltic Sea in show of force

NATO fighter jets intercepted Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea on Monday, underscoring ongoing tensions along the alliance’s eastern flank.

The operation was launched from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, where French forces are currently deployed as part of NATO’s long-running Baltic air policing mission. Dassault Rafale aircraft were scrambled alongside jets from Sweden, Finland, Poland, Denmark and Romania to monitor the Russian formation.

According to military officials, the Russian sortie included two Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers escorted by around ten fighter jets, including Sukhoi Su-30 and Sukhoi Su-35 aircraft. The Russian Defence Ministry said the mission lasted more than four hours and took place over international waters, describing it as a routine operation conducted in line with airspace regulations.

NATO routinely intercepts Russian aircraft approaching its airspace, particularly in the Baltic region. The alliance says such flights often occur without transponders activated or prior communication with air traffic control, prompting identification missions.

The Baltic air policing mission has been in place since Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joined NATO in 2004 and typically sees hundreds of interceptions each year, many of which are linked to flights between mainland Russia and the Kaliningrad enclave.

Monday’s incident forms part of a broader pattern of increased Russian air activity in the region. Lithuanian authorities reported that NATO jets were scrambled four times in the previous week alone to respond to aircraft violating standard flight procedures.

While the encounter did not escalate, it highlights the continued military signalling between Russia and NATO in northern Europe, even as global attention remains focused on other geopolitical hotspots.