The Russian IL-20 aircraft, flying without a flight plan or radio communication, was detected over international waters in the Baltic Sea.
German Eurofighter jets, launched from Rostock-Laage airbase, escorted the plane.
The IL-20 flew between Germany’s Rügen and Denmark’s Bornholm, and two fighters were dispatched to make visual contact with it, according to Deutsche Welle.
Interception of Russian warplanes over the Baltic Sea
NATO has patrolled the airspace of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia since their 2004 entry into the alliance.
109 instances of Russian military aircraft flying near Latvia’s borders over the Baltic Sea were recorded in the first eight months of 2024, according to Delfi.
On Aug. 12, 2024, Polish F-16s intercepted a Russian IL-20 reconnaissance plane over the Baltic.
Between Aug. 12 and 18, NATO jets made three sorties, intercepting 10 Russian warplanes.
On Sept. 11, Latvia’s Air Force reported NATO jets intercepted four Russian planes over the Baltic, flying without flight plans and with transponders off.